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Orthodontics & Dental Hygiene


Generally, the importance of good oral hygiene can not be overstated. People undergoing orthodontic treatment should even go the extra mile in taking care of their oral health. This is because food gets easily trapped in your orthodontic appliances. Having food stuck in your teeth, and the orthodontic device is not suitable for your oral health. When undergoing orthodontic treatment, proper cleaning of the teeth when putting on these devices can be difficult, but it is something you must learn.

A slim outer layer of microbes and organic debris that contains bacteria that could be harmful is called a plaque. Plaque is a major cause of several oral issues. Trapped food on the teeth can form plaques. And when you are wearing an orthodontic device, it can become difficult to remove these plaques when cleaning the teeth. Bacteria in plaques cause the production of acids from sugar, and this acid harms the teeth and gums, causing such problems as bad breath, gum infections, and teeth cavities.

Proper cleaning of plaques during brushing is significant in maintaining overall oral health. Daily maintenance, diet, and routine professional care are three ways to make sure your oral health is always in good condition.

Diet and Tooth Decay

Avoid any food that could increase your chances of developing tooth decay. The consumption of foods like ice cream, soda, and any other that contains excess sugar should either be reduced or avoided. Sticky foods like gums, caramels should also be avoided, so they don’t get stuck to your braces.

Hard and sticky foods can destroy your orthodontic appliances. A damaged device can not provide the needed result for which they were worn. Therefore, such food as a hard pizza crust, hard candy should be avoided. Instead, healthy food like apple, carrot should be taken more often. Also, stop such bad habits like chewing on pencil and your nails as they can cause damage to your devices and even your teeth.

Daily Maintenance

Regular brushing and flossing, even when undergoing orthodontic treatment, is critical to keeping a healthy smile. Sometimes, your device brackets and wires can make it difficult to clean your teeth effectively. There are a few tools and tips that can help you clean your teeth better.

A soft bristle or bi-level toothbrush can be useful in removing plaques even when wearing braces. You can as well, utilize an electric brush, but it has to be on moderate power. You can use special brushes like the interdental brush or proxabrush in cleaning areas in between wires, and brackets which are difficult to reach using a standard toothbrush. With consistent effort in cleaning your teeth, you can get plaques under control.

Daily flossing is essential, especially during orthodontic treatment. Although flossing with braces on can be a bit hard, there are special tools like floss threader that gets the floss between wires and gum line. You will be instructed on how to floss and brush when wearing braces will be given to you.

If your situation warrants, a supplementary fluoride treatment will be given to you either at home or in the dental office- this will help prevent the formation of cavities in your teeth. Minor gum irritation can be relieved with an antiseptic rinse; therefore, they may be recommended. Brush your retainers daily. Hot water can damage your retainers, so do not use hot water on them.

Professional Care

During orthodontic treatment, it is crucial to keep your teeth in a healthy condition and therefore involves going for checkups, carrying preventive measures, and properly cleaning your teeth. Achieving the desired result from your orthodontic treatment requires a collective effort. Therefore, everyone involved should give in their best to ensure that smile returns to your face.

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