How to take care of braces- PART II

When something is new, it takes time to get used to it and orthodontic treatment is no exception. You need to take care of your braces, teeth and gums to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Brushing with braces is different from brushing without and all you need is to tweak your current oral hygiene regimen. 

If you have any removable appliances or parts- remove them to get started. You can use a soft or extra soft toothbrush or an electric or battery operated one- we prefer the electric but honestly, if you know the right technique , a manual brush does the job. Place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle towards the tooth and directed to the gumline. The idea is to brush away from the gums in a sweeping motion. Alternate this with a circular motion to do a thorough cleaning. 

Make sure to brush the inner, outer and top/ chewing surfaces of the teeth as well as along the gum line. A combination of these movements along with short back and forth strokes is important. You should not brush for more than 2-3 minutes and be mindful of the amount of pressure you use. Following this use your water flosser/ Water Pik to clean between your teeth. This is a very important step that you shouldn’t be neglecting since this can result in cavities. Flossing can be done before or after brushing to remove deposits. In the end, clean your tongue using a tongue cleaner / scraper.