Braces can give you a brand new smile by addressing a wide range of orthodontic issues, such as crooked teeth or a misaligned bite. Maintaining good dental hygiene can be a bit challenging with braces, however. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to more easily care for your smile when you have braces. Dr. Ami Kagalwala and Dr. Jay Friedman can help you maintain good dental hygiene with braces from Trabuco Hills Dentistry in Mission Viejo, CA, where they offer general dentistry, orthodontics, and more.
Caring for Your Smile with Braces
The brackets, bands, and wires associated with braces can make it difficult to maintain optimal oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing around the new hardware on your teeth can take some getting used to. However, it is extremely important to practice good dental hygiene with braces. There are more places for the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease to hide.
In addition to developing a thorough daily dental hygiene routine, it is also important to schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings. Professional teeth cleanings are the only way to completely remove tartar buildup, which develops when plaque hardens on the teeth. Tartar that is not removed can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Don’t let oral health issues that are easily preventable affect the health of the smile you are working so hard to straighten with braces.
The knowledgeable dentists at our general dentistry office in Mission Viejo, CA, can also make specific recommendations to help you better care for your smile while you have braces. Some practical steps you can take to care for your teeth on your own include:
- Avoiding hard or sticky foods that can damage braces or get stuck
- Using an interdental brush to better clean around brackets, bands, and wires
- Using a water pick following regular brushing and flossing to more thoroughly clean teeth
- Using a floss threader to clean between teeth when wires are in the way
- Wearing a mouthguard when participating in sports and similar activities
- Avoiding chewing or biting fingernails and other items
The importance of maintaining thorough dental hygiene with braces cannot be understated. The brackets, bands, and wires can pose unique challenges when it comes to brushing and flossing, which is why it is especially important to develop a consistent and thorough oral hygiene routine. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kagalwala or Dr. Friedman, call Trabuco Hills Dentistry, our general dentistry office in Mission Viejo, CA, at (949) 859-1400.