Orthodontics in Cincinnati, OH
At Martinez Orthodontics, we believe orthodontic treatment is an investment in not only your smile but your health as well. After all, if your teeth are not healthy, then all our hard work and time has gone to waste. We pride ourselves in providing our Cincinnati Invisalign and braces patients with the best care possible. Part of that care is teaching our patients wearing braces and Invisalign how to brush their teeth while wearing orthodontic devices. Maintaining proper oral hygiene while wearing braces is essential due to the added surface area and hard to reach places from your braces. This page will give you some information on useful tools and techniques to keep your teeth healthy and your appliances clean.
Flossing With Braces
Keeping the spaces between your teeth clean while wearing braces is very important and much harder now that braces are in the way. Using floss threaders or Oral-B Super Floss makes it easy to do so. If you are using a floss threader, simply thread one side of the floss through the eyelet of the threader just like you would a needle and thread. Once your floss is threaded, use the threader to send the floss between your braces and floss like normal. Do this for each bracket, and you will easily be able to floss while wearing braces. If you would prefer, you can also use a water pick to gently blast water between your teeth to get rid of gunk between your teeth.
Interdental Toothbrush
Also known as a proxabrush, interdental toothbrushes have a pine tree shaped brush head that lets you get under your wires and right up against your brackets. Use these to gently brush right up against your braces twice a day to maintain your smile.
Finish With Mouth Wash
Finally, to make sure that you get all the bacteria and potential plaque builders out of your mouth, finish with mouthwash. Some mouthwashes are specifically designed for braces, but almost any mouth wash will do. Just make sure to avoid any mouthwash that has whitening agents in them as this could cause you to have multicolored teeth after your braces come off.
Cleaning Removable Appliances
If you have a removable appliance like Invisalign or a retainer, it is essential to clean these devices too. Failing to do so makes a perfect place for bacteria to grow and harm your teeth. If you have a traditional retainer, brush it every time you brush your teeth and let it soak in a denture cleaning tablet solution at least once a week. As for clear retainers and Invisalign aligners, you should brush these as well, but to maintain their clarity do not use toothpaste as the abrasives can cause them to yellow over time. Simply brush them with water every time you brush your teeth and let them soak in denture cleaning solution as well.
Visit Your Local Cincinnati, OH Orthodontist
At Martinez Orthodontics we are always happy to answer any questions you may have about your braces or other orthodontic appliances. Feel free to call us at any time at (513) 598-9800, or reach out to us on our contact page. We hope to hear from you soon, don't forget to schedule your appointment today!