Celebrate Oral Health Month in June by Keeping Your Braces Cleaner Than Ever Before

It's always easy to care for your braces and maintain good oral health. Brackets, wires, and bands aren't very susceptible to staining, but plaque and bacteria can build up around the brackets and teeth. Plaque and bacteria can cause cavities and gum disease.

Plaque is a type of bacteria that forms on your teeth, and it needs to be removed by brushing with a toothbrush and flossing daily. If you fail to remove plaque regularly from under your braces, your teeth and gums can become irritated and painful. When plaque builds up under braces, it can cause irritation to the gums as well as the brackets themselves. This can lead to demineralization and decay underneath your braces. This is why you have to make sure you clean your braces properly. If you don't, it could lead to cavities that will require fillings or crowns to restore your smile back to its healthy state.

Why Is Cleaning Your Braces Important?

Plaque is an invisible, sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth and causes decay and cavities. When you wear braces, you are more susceptible to plaque buildup.

It's extremely important to practice good oral hygiene habits when wearing braces to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing and flossing with braces can be tricky. There are specific techniques and tools you must use to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy while wearing braces. It's also important to frequently visit your dentist for cleanings and checkups. Untreated periodontal disease causes bone loss, which can loosen the archwire or move a tooth out of alignment. Retainers are also at risk of becoming stained if not properly cleaned.

At-home oral care is particularly important when you are wearing braces. As we celebrate Oral Health Month in June, here are some helpful tips for brushing with braces:

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush when you brush your teeth. Hard bristles can scratch the surface of the teeth or cause discomfort while brushing.
• Take special care to clean the areas around your brackets and wires. Food particles can easily get stuck in these areas and cause discoloration.
• Use interdental brushes after meals. Interdental brushes are tiny toothbrushes that can slip into tiny spaces in the mouth and clean properly. They are great for cleaning around braces as well.
• Avoid eating sugary foods that could potentially damage your teeth. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produce acid that erodes tooth enamel.
• Practice proper brushing techniques. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line and use small circular motions to brush each quadrant of the mouth.
• Always floss at least once per day to remove food debris from between the teeth and under the gums. Floss threaders are specially designed for flossing with the hardware in your mouth.
• Rinse your mouth with water after brushing to remove any leftover food or debris.