Crest/Oral b says:
Proper oral care isn't just about making your teeth look pretty. It's the key to avoiding common dental problems like gingivitis, tartar, and demineralization. Because thorough oral hygiene is more difficult with braces, patients who wear braces are more prone to these issues than those not wearing them. These dental problems are unpleasant enough on their own, but if left untreated they can also turn into more serious oral health issues. Plus, they can prolong your time in braces. In severe cases of gum disease or other oral health problems, the orthodontist may even have to remove the braces, wait for the gums and mouth to heal, and then reapply them.
We know that caring for your teeth can be a challenge when you have braces. This means that focusing on oral hygiene and understanding dental issues is more important than ever before. It's also more important to choose hygiene products that will help care for your teeth – things like Oral-B power toothbrush heads made specially for braces and floss threaders can maneuver around your wires, and toothpastes that kill germs in spaces between your brackets. They can't do all the work for you, but they can certainly help.
Taking good care of your braces is essential for avoiding complications while wearing them and ending up with great-looking teeth once they are removed. No matter how much money, pain, and time you've already invested in your braces, proper oral care is still the key to walking away with a beautiful, healthy smile.
This video shows proper technique for cleaning your teeth while in braces:
We are dedicated to providing our patients a pleasant and efficient experience while in braces with our office! However, patients do find orthodontics painful and uncomfortable when proper oral hygiene is not performed due to inflammation and plaque build up. The total amount of time you spend in braces can be greatly affected by oral hygiene. If you are concerned about your technique or would like to make sure you are being effective, don’t hesitate to ask your orthodontist or dentist.
