How Do I Keep My Braces Clean?

When braces are placed on the teeth it is recommended by orthodontists to brush the teeth with fluoride toothpaste after every meal. This is because when wearing braces food can become caught in the braces and will have two affects, it will give the person bad breath immediately and in the long term it can cause cavities.

The teeth should be cared for much the same as teeth without braces, the use of dental floss and a waterpic. There are special types of dental floss that can be used for braces that make it easier and more effective for cleaning the teeth and braces. It is also possible that the orthodontist will order special fluoride mouthwash to protect the teeth from decay and that will also make certain that all parts of the teeth are cleaned. This is due to the fact that when braces are first placed on the teeth they are not straight; they still have teeth that are not properly aligned.

It may hurt in the beginning to even brush the teeth but it is important to keep them clean not only for dental reasons but also for health reasons, teeth with trapped foods can cause gum infections and that can lead to larger problems. Even during this time when the braces have just been put on the teeth and when they have recently been adjusted a waterpic can clean the teeth and make the teeth feel better at the time.