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Caring for Braces and Invisalign: 3 Tips

Caring for Braces and Invisalign

You play an essential role in creating your beautiful new smile! Most of the hard work is done at home, where your toothbrush, toothpaste and floss lie. Proper care of your teeth, as well as your braces or Invisalign appliance is how you experience the best possible results from treatment. Here are 3 tips for keeping your braces or Invisalign clean!

 

1. Brush all surfaces of your teeth.

Your toothbrush is your major defensive weapon against tooth decay and decalcification throughout your treatment! When you brush your teeth with braces, be sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth.

– Brush the area above the wire, at a downward angle.

– Brush all the way around on the top arch, and be sure to get each tooth.

– Brush your bottom teeth at an upward angle.

– Try to wiggle between the tooth and the wire.

 

Once you’ve brushed the front surfaces, it’s time to get the inside surfaces.

– Brush the inside surfaces of your upper teeth, then the inside of your lower teeth.

– Be sure to brush the entire surface of each tooth, from crown to root.

Now, be sure to brush the chewing surfaces of your teeth, both top and bottom. Finish it off by brushing your tongue! Once you’ve done a real thorough job of brushing, check the mirror. Look at your braces or teeth. Are they shiny? Are there any food particles left? Once you ensure that your teeth are clean, your brushing routine is complete!

 

2. Floss like your results depend on it!

Flossing during orthodontic treatment is essential for keeping your teeth clean, preventing bacteria buildup between your teeth, and preventing gum disease. Your toothbrush can’t reach the spaces between your teeth, so floss is key to an effective oral hygiene routine. To floss with braces, you can use a specialized floss threader to get the floss under your wires. Flossing with Invisalign doesn’t require any adjustments from your pre-treatment routine! Simply take out your clear aligners, rinse them out and place them in your Invisalign carrying case, then grab your floss string and floss between each tooth.

– Be sure to floss both sides of each tooth.

– Start on the bottom teeth and wedge the floss between two teeth. (If you have braces, use a floss threader to pull the floss under your wires.)

– Gently rub the side of each tooth with floss in an up and down motion to scrape off any debris.

– Floss between the back teeth, and work your way around the entire mouth.

– Repeat the process on the upper teeth.

 

3. Carry a ‘braces care kit’ or ‘Invisalign care kit’.

During orthodontic treatment, you’ll need a little more discipline in the dental hygiene department, so it’s a good idea to create a care kit that you can carry whenever you’re away from home!

Here are some essential items for your care kit:

– Travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste to keep braces free of debris after meals

– Dental wax to ease irritation or protect the mouth from wires or brackets in the event that they become loose

– Floss to clean between the teeth after meals

– Tylenol or another over-the-counter pain reliever

– Small pocket mirror to floss or brush teeth on-the-go

 

Still have questions about cleaning braces or Invisalign?

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! We’re here to guide you through your treatment process, from your very first visit, to your last appointment.

If you’re looking for a top orthodontist in Wesley Chapel, North Tampa, South Tampa or East Bradenton, we’d love to meet you! Request a complimentary exam for you or your child today.

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