When you get braces, there are a handful of lifestyle changes you’ll have to make to ensure the process goes smoothly. One of these includes changing the way you brush your teeth. Read on to learn how to brush your teeth with braces.

When you don’t have braces, most people know that you should be brushing your teeth twice a day. Once in the morning, and once at night before you go to bed. Doing this keeps your teeth clean, and helps you avoid cavities and other dental problems. However, when you have braces, you need to brush your teeth more often. When you have braces, you have extra brackets and wires attached to your teeth, which can attract more bacteria. Think of it like the bacteria has more places to hide. To avoid a greater risk of cavities, you need to brush after every meal, to ensure you get all food particles out of your mouth. Finding a travel toothbrush and toothpaste to take with you throughout your day can help you ensure you do this step.

Another important step in any type of dental care is flossing your teeth. Flossing your teeth gets to the areas that your toothbrush may not reach. If food gets trapped between your teeth, flossing helps get these particles out of your mouth before bacteria can break them down. When you combine this with brushing your teeth, you have the best chance of avoiding cavities.

When you have braces, you don’t necessarily need to floss your teeth more often, but the process does shift a bit. Because of the extra machinery in your mouth, it can be more difficult to floss. To help you continue to practice this important step, there are types of floss that make flossing with braces easier. 

It’s always important to brush and take care of your teeth. Your dental health is a big indicator of your overall health, and it’s important to take care of it every day. This continues to be true when you have braces. Brushing and flossing help your teeth stay clean, white, and healthy. To properly brush your teeth when you have braces, it’s important to thoroughly brush around your brackets, and underneath your wires. If you make sure to do this, you’ll be more likely to avoid the white marks that braces can leave behind on your teeth. To make sure you’re taking the best care of your health, it’s also important to have the proper equipment. General toothbrushes can keep your teeth clean, but electric toothbrushes have been shown to do a much more thorough job.

Whether or not you have braces, brushing your teeth properly is an important step in taking care of your health. If done properly, it can prevent many serious issues and help you stay healthy. If you do have braces, these are the changes you’ll need to make to your brushing routine.

If you are looking to get braces, McAllister Orthodontics can help you have the best experience possible. Click here to learn more, and request your complimentary consultation today!