Sparkle Dental - Tips For Cleaning Your Braces
Braces can do wonders for your overall appearance, but they can be a nightmare to clean when you're wearing them. Patients with invisible braces do not have to worry about this because they can simply take out a try and brush like normal. For metal braces though, the cleaning process is far more complex. Here are the top 5 braces cleaning tips to keep your teeth looking their best.
1 – Rinse before You Brush
Before you start brushing your teeth with braces, rinse your mouth out with water. Powerfully swoosh the water back and forth in your mouth to loosen up as much trapped food as possible. This will get rid of a good portion of the large particles in your mouth so you don't wedge them in when you brush.
2 – Brush Above and Below the Braces
When you have metal braces, you cannot brush horizontally across your teeth like you normally would. You have to brush above and below the wire to clean out anything stuck behind it. It will take longer to brush your teeth this way, but you'll get much better results.
3 – Use a Pointed Toothbrush
A pointed toothbrush will help you get into tighter places, like the area above the braces on your back teeth. The point can usually squeeze in behind the wire and pull out the gunk hiding in your mouth. Avoid large, rectangular brushes and get something with a few curves to it.
4 – Use Superfloss
Superfloss is a product that has strips of regular floss with a hardened section at the bottom. This is an all-in-one alternative to using a floss threader, and it is easier for most people to work with. You simply stick the hardened section behind the wire and floss regularly. You can continue using the same product after you get your braces off if you choose to get a permanent retainer.
5 – Avoid Certain Foods
Over time, you will find out which foods get stuck in your braces and which ones come out easily.
Troublesome foods include:
- Bread
- Steak, brisket, roast, and other stringy meat
- Caramel
- Taffy
- Starburst and similar candies
- Corn on the cob
- Popcorn
- Pizza
You can eat any of these foods and others like them, but you will need to spend more time brushing when you do. It is best to keep these sticky foods in moderation so you don't have to go through a 30 minute ordeal every time you need to clean your braces. And of course, come in for your regular dental cleanings at Sparkle Dental, LLC to keep your braces as clean as possible. Your teeth will be straight and stunning in no time!