How to Clean and Maintain Your Braces in Westchester for a Healthier Smile

 

Getting braces is a big step toward achieving a straighter, healthier smile. If you’re receiving orthodontic care from a Westchester orthodontist, you’re likely excited to see the end results. But while braces are doing the hard work of aligning your teeth, it’s your job to keep them clean and well-maintained. Proper care of your braces not only ensures a more comfortable treatment process but also prevents oral health issues like cavities and gum disease.

We look forward at Purchase Park Orthodontics of Westchester getting our patients out of our office all times before, during, and after orthodontic treatment with fantastic oral hygiene. For your own convenience, do refer to the following guide that provides some much-needed suggestions on the cleaning and care process of your braces here in Westchester for a healthy smile.

1. Brush your teeth thoroughly and often

Where brushing alone is a must and not when due, it's more urgent where one happens to be under braces as, more readily food particles stick within brackets and wire that exposes individuals to the possible increased likelihoods of developing cavities and gum diseases. To keep up the tight brushing practice one goes about:

Brush after each meal: you used to be satisfied with brushing twice a day. With braces now, this is no longer true. Brushing after each meal will dislodge most of what was sticking between your braces.

Right Toothbrush: orthodontic patients should make sure they use a soft-bristled or an orthodontic toothbrush before going to bed. Good ones are electric toothbrushes with an orthodontic brush head.

Brush at the Right Angle: "Brush at a 45-degree angle in order to clean above and below the brackets."

Take your time, too; it may take at least two to three minutes to make sure that each bracket, wire, and every surface of the teeth is brushed clean.

2. Floss daily. Yep, even with braces!

You can't floss around those fantastic braces, but that's an important part of oral hygiene for your teeth. Regular floss isn't gonna do much for you underneath the braces, though, so here are a couple of tools that help with that process:

Floss Threaders: These tiny little looped things help pass the floss through gaps between the wires so you can clean between the teeth.
Orthodontic Floss: The floss are designed with stiff ends which will provide easy maneuvering around the braces.

Water Flossers: The water flosser fires steady streams of water dislodging particles of food from the surface and plaque. It is one of the easiest ways of achieving flossing with braces.

3. Interdental Brushes
   Interdental brushes- These are small, cone-shaped ones, designed for interdental cleaning as well as interbracket. They will be handy in removing debris, particularly behind small crevices that aren't accessible by your toothbrush. These will supplement your regular toothbrushing along with scrapping every nook and cranny behind your braces.
4. Rinse through Mouthwash

Gingivitis and/or cavities can also be dramatically reduced by the use of an antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash. It can be a final flourish to any oral hygiene routine. Look for an oral rinse specifically designed for orthodontic patients. The oral rinse formulas help build up enamel and defend teeth from the harmful effects of bacteria.

5. Limit or Avoid Some Foods

While the whole experience is quite fun, in reality, there are foods that simply aren't allowed if you are in braces. Hard, sticky, and chewy foods can all potentially break the wires of your braces or cause your brackets to be knocked loose. Avoid the following types of food:

Hard Foods: Nuts, hard candies, ice, and popcorn kernels

Sticky Sweets: Caramel, taffy, and chewing gum

Crunchy Snack: Potato chips, pretzels, hard crackers
Raw vegetables and hard fruits: Chop them up into little pieces to avoid hurting your braces

6. Scheduled visit to the Westchester Orthodontist

Regular orthodontic appointments are essential to maintain the health and integrity of your braces. Your Westchester orthodontist will check for issues like loose brackets or wires and provide guidance on how to maintain your oral hygiene routine. During these check-ups, your orthodontist can also professionally clean your braces, which helps keep your teeth in optimal condition.

If you need orthodontic services, then consult Purchase Park Orthodontics of Westchester https://www.orthodontist-in-westchester.us/ - they would be very glad to see you and care for you while getting that fantastic smile.

7. Treat Brace Emergencies ASAP

Sometimes, the brackets may loosen or the wires will constantly poke at your cheeks or gums. Small issues can be controlled at home, but for serious problems, an urgent visit to your orthodontist is needed. Here's how to deal with common issues:

Loose Brackets: If a bracket has loosened, apply some orthodontic wax and that should keep it in place till your next visit.

Protruding Wires: Push it back to the right position using a clean pencil eraser or orthodontic wax.

Irritated Gums or Cheeks: Orthodontic wax can help in giving some protective covering so that irritation from the brackets or wires is at a minimum.

8. Healthy Diet to Have Stronger Teeth

A diet which has the perfect balance of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and lean proteins leads to healthy conditions in the teeth and gums. This ensures healthy enamels to fight off cavity onset. Sugary drinks and snacks can still increase the risk of decay, though, especially for people with braces.

Why Braces Care Matters

This will be an investment in your smile if you are proper with taking care of your braces. With healthy teeth and braces, issues related to tooth decay, gum disease, or other oral problems remain at bay. You'll ensure that the treatment will follow a proper trajectory that will result in the best outcomes by sticking to the Westchester orthodontist's care tips.

Be ready to wear braces in Westchester? Contact Purchase Park Orthodontics of Westchester today!

Braces in Westchester, MA? Stop searching and contact Purchase Park Orthodontics of Westchester today! Our orthodontic specialists have the largest scope of treatment available, and our final goal is to allow you to have that absolutely gorgeous, healthy smile that you deserve. Book your appointment today and start down the road toward the confident, you.