Maintaining oral hygiene is difficult in braces. As traditional braces have brackets and wire and other attachments. Food debris easily gets lodged around it and it is difficult to clean. It causes infected and bleeding gums. As it progresses to bone loss.

Why is it important to maintain oral hygiene with braces?
There is chance of teeth decay is more with braces than the normal patient. In orthodontic cases patient needs procedures like IPR (Interproximal Reduction), extraction, etc. so it is necessary to save the remaining natural teeth. Orthodontist gives elastic modules which causes gum irritation, bleeding and bone loss. To prevent it, we need to do proper oral hygiene care.
If your orthodontist gives you elastics, remove them prior brushing.
By using a fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush, place your brush at an angle of 45 degrees against the gums. Gently brush along the gum line where the gums and teeth meet, in a small circular motion on each tooth. Spend about 10 seconds on each tooth before moving to the next tooth, brushing in a set pattern so that you don’t miss any teeth.
Gently brush teeth braces. Press your toothbrush firmly against the teeth so that the bristles spread into the gaps between the wire and tooth. Brush in and around all of the braces. Ensure that you brush under the wires. A power brush may be helpful.
Brush the inside and outside surfaces of your teeth by using circular motion on each tooth. Spit out all the excess paste then closely inspect your teeth and braces in the mirror to check if they are clean and shiny. Don’t forget to replace your elastics. Twice brushing daily. Braces friendly diet and habits
Habits such as nail-biting, tongue thrusting, pencil chewing and nervous picking at your wires can also break braces. Be aware of all these and make an effort to stop them.

Interdental brushing:
Cleaning between the teeth is important. As regular brush cannot reach some parts of mouth, special tool like interdental brush is made for cleaning between the teeth. Use the interdental brush to clean the interdental gap of teeth.

Mouthwash:
Use mouthwash every alternate day as prescribed by your doctor. Take right amount of mouthwash, dilute it with water if needed. Swish it in your mouth for almost 30sec-60sec and spit it out. Mouthwash is helpful for halitosis or bad breath.

Dental floss:
You cannot use threaded dental floss in patient with braces. There is an alternative floss is “water flosser” or “oral irrigator”. Water flosser sprays pressurized water on your teeth to remove all the debris and plaque.
Water flosser has a reservoir which can be filled with lukewarm water. Then put the tip in your mouth, keep the handle at 90 degree to the teeth. Spray it above and below the brackets and wire. Rinse your mouth after every meal and snacks. Use tongue scraper to prevent bacterial growth.
Avoid sticky food like chocolates, chewing gum, etc. as they can get stuck in your bracket. Avoid tobacco. Lower the sugar intake to prevent tooth cavities. Increase the vegetables and fibrous food.

Clear aligners are removable and it is very easy to maintain excellent oral hygiene and prevent teeth decay. Take the aligners out and brush the teeth as regular. Food habits if difficult to maintain, then best option is to shift to the clear aligner.

We at Phialigners provide best dental aligners at affordable price.
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