Patient Care

You already know that maintaining good oral hygiene is important for everyone — but when you’re having orthodontic treatment, it’s even more critical. Why? Because, while the appliances (such as braces or clear aligners) you may need to wear during treatment are very effective in correcting misaligned teeth, they can also trap food particles easily. Keeping your teeth (and your appliances) clean is a little harder — but you can do it! Here is a look at why good oral hygiene is so important during orthodontic treatment, and some tips on how you can keep it up.

Healthy vs. Unhealthy
The major enemy of oral health is plaque. Food that becomes trapped near tooth surfaces can lead to the formation of plaque — a thin coating of microorganisms and organic debris (biofilm) containing potentially harmful bacteria. Braces or other appliances make it harder to remove plaque. The bacteria in plaque interact with the sugars in food, producing acids which may erode teeth and irritate gums. This can cause cavities, white spots on teeth, gum disease and bad breath.

Keeping plaque under control is one of the most effective means of maintaining strong, healthy teeth and gums. There are three general ways to keep plaque under control: diet, daily maintenance and regular professional care. Taken all together, they are your teeth’s best defense.

Diet and Decay
Controlling your diet involves avoiding foods that could increase your risk of developing tooth decay. That means cutting down or eliminating foods with an excess of sugar, like soda, sweets, and ice cream. It also means avoiding foods that could easily become stuck in your braces, like toffee, gum, licorice and caramels.

Foods that are very hard or extremely sticky can also cause physical damage to orthodontic appliances. Certainly, braces or retainers with broken wires or loose brackets won’t work to straighten your teeth! You should avoid foods like hard candies or nuts, beef jerky and hard pizza crust. Keep eating healthy foods like carrots and apples — but cut them into bite-sized pieces first! Do not chew on ice, pencils, or your nail — these habits can cause damage to your appliances, and can even result in chipped teeth!

Daily Maintenance
How to Clean Teeth With Braces
You know how important brushing and flossing are for keeping a healthy smile — especially now that you’re in orthodontic treatment. But sometimes, it’s harder to clean your teeth effectively around an appliance’s brackets and wires. Here are some tools and tips you can try for better tooth cleaning.

Either a soft-bristle or a bi-level toothbrush (one with longer bristles on the edges and shorter ones in the middle) can be effective in plaque removal — even with braces. An electric toothbrush can also be used, on a moderate setting. For hard-to-clean areas, try an interdental brush or a Proxabrush®. The small bristles of this special tooth-cleaning aid, which is shaped like a pipe cleaner, can get in between wires, brackets and teeth. With gentle and persistent effort, it’s possible to reach into the smallest nooks and crannies, and control plaque buildup.

You should floss at least once a day during the course of your orthodontic treatment. While it’s a little harder to do with braces, there are some special products available, such as floss threaders and particular kinds of floss, that can help you floss between your wires and gum line. Our staff will review proper brushing and flossing techniques with you when you get your braces — but if you ever have questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

Depending on your situation, we may recommend an in-office or at-home supplemental fluoride treatment to boost your cavity resistance. We may also suggest using an antiseptic rinse to ease minor gum inflammation or irritation.

How To Clean Removable Retainers
If you have a retainer, it should be brushed daily, the same way you brush your teeth. We may also recommend using a cleaning solution — but never put hot water on your retainer, because it can warp the soft plastic and make your retainer unusable! Always keep your retainer in a case when it’s not in your mouth.

Professional Care
Even though you’re seeing our orthodontists regularly, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to see your regular dentist — in fact, it’s just as important as ever! While we’re focused on improving your bite and alignment, your dentist will make sure your teeth stay healthy with thorough examinations, cleanings and preventive care. Your orthodontic treatment is a team effort where everyone — our office, you, and your family dentist — has an important role to play. And the team has just one goal: giving you a winning smile.

If you would like more information on good oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment in Temecula and Hemet, California, please contact Miles of Smiles today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tal Jergensen or Dr. Scott Hope!