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Many adolescents and teens (and even some adults!) go through some type of orthodontic treatment, and oftentimes, traditional braces are the best way to straighten teeth. In fact, braces are almost a type of rite of passage for many teenagers as they transition from a child to a young adult. But as with many things, getting braces also means experiencing some changes to your appearance, what you can eat, and even how you brush your teeth. So today, your pediatric dentist in Reynoldsburg is here to help teach you and your child the best way to care for teeth while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
The key to keeping your teeth healthy for the duration of your orthodontic treatment is to make sure you continue to brush twice a day, and really, much your regular brushing habits should stay the same with the exception of a few minor changes.
Brushing your teeth is only half of a good oral hygiene routine for anyone, but especially for those with braces. It’s also incredibly important to floss in between each and every tooth every day to remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles brushing alone can’t reach. In fact, if you only brush your teeth and forego the floss, you’re leaving two surfaces of your teeth completely uncleaned! This can increase the risk of tooth decay and even gum disease. While flossing can be tricky to get the hang of with braces, it’s important to practice and make it a part of your daily routine. To floss your teeth while wearing braces:
Choose the right floss – Flossing with waxed floss or dental tape is the best way to keep the floss from fraying as you wiggle it in between your teeth and underneath wires. Unraveling about 18 inches of your floss of choice and you’re on your way.
Mind the wires – The trickiest part of flossing with braces is that you can’t get all the way up to the gums because there are wires in the way. This means you’ll have to use a floss threader to gently thread the floss up under the wires to thoroughly floss each tooth.
Don’t snap it – Instead of pulling and snapping the floss out from each section, slowly glide and wiggle it out.
If you have questions about how to brush your teeth with braces, talk with your orthodontist or pediatric dentist in Reynoldsburg.
As always, our dedication to keeping our patients safe remains our top priority. To help us do that, please be aware of some of the following changes you may see at your next appointment:
Our office has always maintained infection protocols that meet and exceed minimal recommendations, and we will continue to do so. In fact, our standard of care is now being adopted as the industry gold-standard in reducing aerosols.