How to Get a Great Smile

Posted on: 27 July 2018

If you have braces, it can be difficult to thoroughly clean your teeth. However, cleaning is extremely important. If you don't manage to clean all the plaque from your teeth, bacteria can multiply and put your teeth at risk of developing cavities. Use these top tips to clean around your braces to protect your teeth from decay.

1. Switch From Manual to Electric

If you currently use a manual toothbrush, consider switching to an electric one. Some dentists claim that electric toothbrushes offer a better clean around the brackets and wires of braces. The rotating and oscillating motions of the toothbrush head gently loosen plaque from the teeth, leaving the braces undisturbed.

2. Use Orthodontic Toothbrush Heads

Some electric toothbrush manufacturers sell toothbrush heads that are designed to clean around dental braces. These orthodontic brush heads have small bristles that can reach between the wires and brackets of the braces to sweep away plaque.

3. Don't Use Too Much Force

No matter what kind of toothbrush or brush head you use, it is important not to brush too hard when you have braces. Pressing too hard on the wires of your braces can bend them, leading to you needing an expensive repair. If you use an electric toothbrush, you can use the sensitive mode to give your teeth a gentle clean. Some electric toothbrushes also have pressure sensors, which can let you know if you are pressing too hard. If you get this warning, be sure to ease off and take a more gentle approach.

4. Clean Between Teeth With Interdental Brushes

It can be very difficult to floss teeth when braces are in place. However, it is very important to get rid of traces of food and plaque from between the teeth to reduce the risk of tooth decay. One solution is to use interdental brushes to clean teeth that you can't slide string floss between.

5. Use a Water Flosser

If your braces don't allow you to clean between your teeth with an interdental brush, another option is to invest in a water flosser. This appliance uses a jet of water to wash plaque out of the tiny gaps between teeth, leaving teeth clean and protected from decay.

If you are still struggling to thoroughly clean your teeth, ask your dentist for advice. It's very important not to compromise dental hygiene during your orthodontic treatment, as not cleaning your teeth properly can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.