While your braces are not vulnerable to bacterial tooth decay, you should still clean them daily. Food matter and plaque buildup that are trapped in and around braces hardware easily promote tooth decay. This can lead to complications that will significantly increase the amount of time needed to fully realign your teeth.
To aid in deeply cleaning your smile each day, Dr. Chris Trockel might recommend using one or more of the following orthodontic tools.
Interdental brushes are essentially miniature toothbrushes that have small-tapered brush heads. They can help brush between wires and brackets as well as remove food particles from hard-to- reach contours. This can be especially beneficial for getting food matter out from around bands and spacers.
You might also want to try using a floss threader to work around wires and other pieces of orthodontic hardware. This is a simple loop-shaped tool. When loaded with waxed dental floss, it can help work the strand into place with little fear of injuring your gums by forcing it. Be sure to floss into the gumline as well as behind your last molar.
Dental water jets come in a variety of brands. They are designed to create a focused stream of water that can help loosen and wash away food particles from hard-to-reach places. Just keep in mind that this is not a viable alternative to flossing.
If you are having further struggles maintaining good oral hygiene habits in Tulsa, Oklahoma, you can always call 918-364-2222 to speak to a member of staff at True Smile Orthodontics.
