Oral Hygiene at Home

Did you know that preventing tooth decay and gum diseases is the foundation of a lifetime of optimal dental health?

Good oral hygiene between visits to the dentist is the secret to maintaining a healthy mouth for life. However, during orthodontic treatment, the risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay increases, as it can be difficult to brush and floss properly.

You must keep to a rigorous cleaning regime to prevent bacterial plaque build-up that leads to tooth decay, inflammation of the gums and in some cases loss of jawbone. Here are some oral hygiene tips for you:

Preventing Decay

When you have braces attached to your teeth, you will realise that cleaning or brushing your teeth is harder to do. Food particles can get caught between the braces and wires as well as your teeth, which can only be removed through careful brushing and flossing. Failure to clean your teeth thoroughly while having orthodontic braces can result in permanent stains on the surface of your teeth.

Diet

Eating too much sugary food and drinking sugary soft drinks can contribute to plaque build-up. If you have braces, you will need to brush, floss and rinse after eating sugary food as it can get caught in your braces. This can significantly increase your chances of tooth decay.

Brushing / Flossing / Rinsing

Although it is recommended that you should brush your teeth twice a day, we advise our patients going through orthodontic treatment to brush their teeth three times a day immediately after each meal, including lunch. Flossing is also very important in oral hygiene as this can help remove food particles in hard to reach areas. We also recommend that you visit your dentist at least every six months for a routine check-up, deep clean and fluoride application if necessary.

Tooth Brush

We recommend that you should use a small head and soft-bristled toothbrush to clean around the braces. Moving the toothbrush backwards and forwards in small motions above and below the braces can help achieve proper cleaning.