Braces seem to have burst into popularity in the 1990s. During this period the pre-teen and teenager without braces was fast becoming the anomaly. Braces are still popular today but braces can make caring for your teeth a bit more difficult. If you don’t brush properly, your teeth can become discolored, you can form cavities, and/or your gum tissue can become swollen and infected. In today’s blog, your Forth Worth orthodontist, Dr. Cabal, discusses the importance of proper brushing with braces.
When to Brush
It’s important to clean your braces after every meal. Plaque that causes gingivitis builds up quickly and can begin to cause decay in less than 24 hours.
How to Brush
It’s easy to think you’re brushing well enough when wearing braces, but improper technique can prove detrimental to your oral health. To brush properly, follow these steps:
Step #1: Make sure you are using a clean toothbrush by rinsing your brush thoroughly after each brushing.
Step #2: Rinse your mouth with water before brushing. Swish the water around and spit to clean your mouth of loose debris.
Step #3: Brush with toothpaste while holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, beginning with your bottom teeth.
Step #4: Brush your braces using gentle, short, back and forth and up and down strokes, being careful to remove all food debris from your brackets.
Step #5: Next, hold your toothbrush with the bristles pointing down and brush along the tops of your braces.
Step #6: Flip your toothbrush and with the bristles pointing up, brush the bottoms of your braces.
Step #7: Repeat these steps for the braces on your upper teeth.
Step #8: Brush the backs (the surface facing your tongue) of your teeth thoroughly.
Step #9: Brush the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Don’t miss the molars furthest back, and try getting the ends of those molars facing your throat.
Step #10: Closing your upper and lower jaw together, brush your teeth again using small circular motions making sure to brush not only your braces, but along your top and bottom gum line. This not only removes the plaque between your teeth and gums, but stimulates your gingival tissue helping to keep your gums in a healthy state.
Step #11: Don’t forget to brush your tongue.
Step #12: Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash.
About Dr. Cabal
Dr. Ciro Cabal is a dedicated family orthodontist whose lifelong passion for providing exceptional dental care continues to this day as he serves patients of all ages from Ft. Worth, Azle, Saginaw, Springtown, Weatherford, Haslet, and the surrounding communities. To schedule an appointment at our Ft. Worth orthodontist office, call Lake Country Orthodontics today at (817) 236-7846.
