Once your braces are on, you may have trouble seeing your teeth through all that metal. But rest assured that they are there, patiently waiting for the day of the when they can be shown off. Until then, you will need to take good care of them.
Normally, you should spend two minutes a day, twice a day brushing. But when you have braces, you will need to brush and floss thirty minutes after every meal and snack. This is because food particles can easily become stuck in your braces. Take your time while brushing, and concentrate on one or two teeth at time. First, rinse your mouth to remove loose food debris. Start by brushing at the gumline, and then brush from the gumline down to the top of the bracket. Then brush from the gumline up to the bottom of the brackets. When you are finished, brush along the wire. Then, carefully floss between your teeth and your braces. It may be frustrating to try to manipulate regular dental floss around your braces. You can talk with your dentist about using a floss threader or a water flosser. You may also try using a floss pick, which is easier to use when you want to reach under your wire and between your teeth. When you are finished, rinse your mouth again.
Cleaning your teeth while you have your braces is critical to having successful results in the end. If you are thinking about getting braces for your child, or even for yourself, our dentist, Dr. Samuel Richey will be happy to see you for an exam and a consultation. To schedule an appointment at Lighthouse Dental & Orthodontics in Riverton, Utah, call 801-446-6310 today. Let’s get you started on a lifetime of fantastic smiles!