Having braces can be a very rewarding experience. They give you the perfectly aligned teeth you are looking for but the journey to perfect teeth is not as easy as you may think. It's difficult to deal with all the special care required to ensure that your braces are perfect. The biggest problem people face with their braces is keeping their teeth clean. Despite it being very difficult, it is very important for you to keep your teeth with braces as clean as possible.

In this article, we will discuss the importance of cleaning your teeth with braces and the best way to do that according to the expert opinions at OMG Smiles.

Importance of Cleaning Your Teeth with Braces

If you do not clean your teeth properly, you might end up with a lot of plaque and that can be very detrimental for your teeth. Access to plaque can cause your teeth to decay. More importantly, it will also hinder the alignment of your teeth which is why you must clean your teeth properly, so they are set well within the braces. In addition to that, it is very possible for you to develop different kinds of gum diseases because of the accumulated plaque.

There have been cases where negligence in hygiene has led to problems like tooth loss. When your enamel is not cleaned properly it might result tooth decay to a point where dentists might not be able to do much. You may have bad breath if you do not take care of your dental hygiene.

It can be very off-putting to have bad breath as it is not just an inconvenience for you but those around you too. These are just some of the reasons why you must pay close attention to cleaning your teeth properly to ensure you follow the best dental hygiene possible. Now that you understand its importance, let's move towards how you can keep your teeth with braces clean.

How to Clean Your Teeth with Braces Properly

Here are some tips you can use to keep your teeth clean even when wearing braces:

Choose the Right Toothbrush

According to experts at OMG Smiles, you must choose the right kind of toothbrush to ensure that you get the perfect cleaning. Many people gravitate towards cheaper toothbrushes but that might not cut it for you if you have braces. This is why you must make an informed decision about the toothbrush you use.

One of the best options for people with braces is electric brushes as they have the right kind of timing to help you brush to ensure that your teeth are clean. They also come with pressure sensors that ensure you get the right pressure to be comfortable while brushing your teeth. Bristles with the V-cut are preferred over others as they are ideal for oral hygiene.

Brush Your Teeth Regularly

You cannot afford to have food stuck in your teeth after a meal as it can cause your teeth to decay. This is why orthodontists suggest brushing your teeth each time you have a meal so that you can clean out any remnants of the food from the meal before.

The wire in your braces can easily trap food and that can turn into plaque in no time. If you want to avoid the plaque, you must regularly brush your teeth. Brushing your teeth when you are traveling can be difficult, this is why it would be best to keep a travel toothbrush to avoid getting any food stuck between your teeth. However, it is best if you don't brush your teeth right after you have a meal. Instead, it would be better to wait for at least half an hour as doing so can soften the enamel and cause damage to your teeth.

Use Toothpaste Sparingly

Using too much toothpaste is not really a good idea. It may seem like a great idea but if you use too much toothpaste, it will foam up and you will find it difficult to spot and clean the plaque. To clean it properly, you must first use a wet toothbrush to clean the surface so that you can target the plaque clearly. After that, you can move on to using toothpaste to brush your teeth. Avoid scrubbing at your teeth vigorously as it might harm them. Instead, it would be better to use a picking motion so that you can flick off the plaque without damaging your teeth.

Brush Your Teeth for a Longer Time

Experts suggest that you must brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes to make sure you get rid of the plaque and stuck food. According to popular advice, you must spend 30 seconds on every part of your mouth to clean your teeth thoroughly.

Floss the Gunk Out

Flossing may seem like a complete impossibility if you have braces but that is far from the truth. You can and you must floss your teeth with braces so that you can reach the most difficult nooks and crannies in-between your teeth.

Mouthwash at Night

For your nighttime dental care, you can opt for an anti-cavity mouthwash, full of fluoride so that you can reduce tooth decay and protect your enamel. Take a good minute to rinse and gargle to spit away the dirt left in your mouth.

Get a Rubber-Tip Gum Massager

If you want to add more care to your dental routine, you can opt for a rubber tip gum massager, as it will help you remove the extra layer of plaque. This tool is not just for the experts, as everyone can use it for their benefit.

Tongue Cleaner Can Help

Besides cleaning your teeth, you must also clean your tongue as there can be a lot of gunk that might cause problems like bad breath and other health issues. A tongue cleaner can scrape bacteria off your tongue and make sure it is clean.

Are you looking for professional orthodontists to help you with your braces or other dental services? Reach out to OMG Smiles to ensure that you get assistance from the best in the field.