If you're navigating the world of orthodontic treatment, whether you're wearing traditional braces, clear aligners, or another type of orthodontic appliance, maintaining excellent oral care is essential for both your comfort and the success of your treatment. As an orthodontist, I've seen how oral health can impact the outcomes of braces or aligner treatment, and I’m here to share some practical tips that will help you keep your smile healthy, bright, and beautiful throughout the process.
Braces, clear aligners, and other orthodontic devices can make it harder to clean your teeth properly. Brackets and wires can trap food particles, and aligners can sometimes cause slight irritation to the gums, making you more prone to plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease. With consistent, careful oral hygiene, you can minimize these risks and ensure your treatment goes smoothly.
1. Brush Thoroughly, and Often
I know- it goes without saying- but when you're wearing braces or aligners, food and plaque are more likely to get trapped in places where they wouldn’t with just your natural teeth. This means brushing your teeth more frequently—ideally after every meal—is crucial.
For Braces:
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and make sure you brush around each bracket and wire. There are orthodontic toothbrushes available with special bristles to help clean around braces, but any soft brush will work well if used properly. Be sure to brush for at least two minutes, and don't forget to brush the chewing surfaces of your molars, as food particles often get trapped there. Focus on the area between the brace and your gums as this is the most frequent problem area.
Aligner Wearers:
Aligners are removable, so it’s easy to take them out and clean your teeth whenever necessary. Brush your teeth thoroughly before reinserting your aligners after meals to prevent plaque buildup and staining. Use a soft brush on your aligners as well to keep them clean- but avoid colored mouthwashes and do not use toothpaste. we typically recommend specialized cleaners for this process to keep things hygienic.
2. Flossing: Don't Skip It!
Flossing is even more important with braces and aligners in place because food and plaque can easily get stuck in between teeth and along the gum line.
Flossing with Braces
A floss threader or orthodontic floss is your best friend here. These tools allow you to thread floss under the wires and around the brackets, ensuring you can reach all those tight spots where plaque builds up. It may feel awkward at first, but with practice, you'll get the hang of it. There are also motorized/ electric flossers that can make this process much easier.
Flossing with Aligners
Since aligners are removable, it’s easier to floss without any obstacles. Simply remove your aligners, and floss between your teeth as you normally would. It’s essential to floss at least once a day to remove plaque and food particles from areas your toothbrush can’t reach.
3. Use an Interdental Brush or Water Flosser
For those hard-to-reach spots between brackets or behind your molars, an interdental brush or water flosser can be very helpful.
Interdental Brushes: These small, cone-shaped brushes can get between your teeth and the wire of your braces more easily than regular floss. They’re great for cleaning around brackets and along the gum line.
Water Flossers: A water flosser (like a Waterpik) can help rinse away food particles and plaque, especially in the spaces between your teeth and braces. It’s an easy and effective addition to your daily routine.
4. Watch Your Diet
What you eat can have a big impact on your oral health during orthodontic treatment. While you're wearing braces, it’s important to avoid foods that can damage your appliances or get stuck in the brackets.
-Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods: Stay away from chewy candies, caramel, gum, and hard foods like nuts, popcorn, or ice cubes. These can either break the brackets or wires or cause food to get stuck, making it harder to clean your teeth.
-Eat Soft, Easy-to-Chew Foods: Opt for soft foods that are easy on your braces, such as pasta, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and cooked vegetables. When in doubt, choose something that won’t put too much pressure on your brackets or get stuck in hard-to-reach spots.
-Avoid high sugary food or drinks: This can create dental cavities on your teeth and around your braces. Unless you want to be spending extra time and resources in your general dentist's chair- this is not a good idea. Please note that water is the only type of drink that is OK to drink while you have aligners in. Drinking other kinds of liquids while the aligner is in may cause staining or even cavities on the cups tips of your teeth.
5. Rinse with Mouthwash
Using an antibacterial mouthwash can help reduce plaque buildup and prevent gingivitis. Look for a fluoride mouthwash to strengthen your enamel and help prevent cavities. Mouthwash can also help rinse away food particles, especially when you’re in a rush or don’t have access to a toothbrush.
6. Protect Your Mouth
If you're playing sports or engaging in activities that could potentially lead to oral injury, it’s a good idea to wear a mouthguard to protect both your teeth and your braces.
- Mouthguards for Braces: There are specially designed mouthguards for those wearing braces that protect both your teeth and your brackets from injury. If you're wearing aligners, you can still wear a standard mouthguard, as they fit snugly around your teeth without interfering with the treatment.
7. Stay on Top of Regular Appointments
Keeping up with your scheduled orthodontic visits is essential to monitor your progress and make adjustments to your braces or aligners. Your orthodontist will also check for any oral health issues like cavities or gum disease and can give you advice on improving your oral care routine if needed.
8. Take Care of Your Gums
Orthodontic treatment can sometimes irritate the gums, causing discomfort or swelling. Make sure to keep your gums healthy by gently brushing and massaging them with a soft brush. If you experience irritation, a warm saltwater rinse can help soothe your gums.
Final Thoughts
Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your smile, but it requires extra effort to maintain oral health. By sticking to a thorough brushing, flossing, and maintenance routine, avoiding certain foods, and keeping up with regular dental checkups, you’ll not only help ensure the best results but also maintain a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come.
If you have any questions about your specific orthodontic care or need personalized advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to your orthodontist. They’re there to help guide you through every step of your treatment!
Remember, with a little extra care, the outcome will be well worth the effort!
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Dr. Craig M. Starling, DDS is a licensed orthodontist in Brentwood, TN with over 20 years treating patients of all ages. He specializes in adult orthodontics and is passionate about helping patients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles.
Please call (615) 507-1660 or click below to schedule your complimentary orthodontic consultation online.
