Braces and Oral Hygiene Having braces can present a challenge to keeping your oral hygiene optimal during treatment. Brushing thoroughly at least twice per day, especially after meals, can help prevent damage to your teeth and gums (gingival). The goal is to avoid leaving plaque (soft white residue) on your teeth and gums that can scar your enamel and inflame your gums. Plaque forms everyday, so it is essential to be diligent in removing it every day. Clean teeth move faster, so it’s a win-win when you use good dental hygiene methods.At Greeley Orthodontics, we begin your treatment with a tooth brushing kit that includes tooth cleaning tools as well as photos to help you visualize brushing technics with braces. Battery operated or rechargeable toothbrushes can help, but you can still do a good job with a manual toothbrush. Toothbrushes all work best when the bristles are directed toward your gums when brushing both the upper and lower teeth, so pay attention when you are brushing. Interdental tooth brushes (small tapered bristles) can be a handy additional aid to remove debris from your braces. While flossing can be a challenge, we recommend it. We have added the Platapus flosser and an inter-dental tooth brush to your brushing kit to help you do this easily. Please keep your regular exam and tooth cleaning appointments with your family dentist. We send periodic reports to your dentist so we can all work as a team to keep your treatment on track. Don't hesitate to give us a call at 484-346-6008, if you have any questions! |
Office HoursMonday* Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 8am-5pm
8am-5pm 8am-5pm 8am-5pm 8am-12pm *One Monday a Month: 11am-7pm |
