Having a beautiful smile at the end of orthodontic treatment is about more than just your teeth and jaw alignment. It’s also about your oral health! Healthy habits prevent your teeth and gum tissue from having any issues that could hamper your orthodontic goals!
Navigating your oral health in orthodontic treatment is actually quite simple, and Coppe & Sears help make it as easy as possible! Our team of dentists and orthodontists has put together a list of our top oral health tips.
Attend Your Dental Appointments.
Attending dental checkups two to three times per year is crucial to maintaining your oral hygiene routine. At these appointments, a dental hygienist may X-ray your mouth to check for cavities, and then professionally clean your teeth and gums. They might also apply a fluoride treatment. When the hygienist finishes, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, infection, oral cancer, and more. They will also set up a treatment plan or refer you to a specialist if necessary.
Going to these sessions consistently, as frequently as recommended by your dentist, allows your dental healthcare provider to find and treat oral health issues before they can cause lasting damage to your oral health or smile esthetic. You should see your dentist even if you feel everything is fine as sometimes issues can lurk under the surface with no symptoms!
Water Flosser And Interproximal Toothbrush.
Whether you have braces or clear aligners, an easy way to make sure you are thoroughly cleaning your mouth is to use a water flosser and/or an interproximal brush.
A water flosser is a machine that uses jets of water to rid the mouth of stubborn residue, such as bacteria, plaque, and food that might be left behind by brushing and flossing. The powerful water is able to reach every nook, cranny, and hard-to-reach place created by bonded appliances or teeth overcrowding. (Note: You should use water flossing along with flossing to ensure adequate cleaning.)
An interproximal brush is a brush that is small enough to slip between the braces and teeth. These reusable brushes are perfect for busy, on-the-go people who might not have access to their water flosser during the day. It’s great for removing stuck food after meals and keeping the breath fresh. Interproximal brushes are a great addition to the daily oral hygiene routine.
If you struggle to use thread floss, these tools can be great supplements. Ask your orthodontist or dentist if these are viable alternatives for you.
Clean Your Clear Aligners.
Clear aligners must be removed to perform oral hygiene and to eat and drink anything other than water. The same bacteria and plaque on your teeth and gums can get on your aligners which means that the aligners need to be cleaned regularly!
Unclean aligners can also develop an unpleasant taste and odor, which is uncomfortable and uninviting when you have to wear them for twenty-two hours a day. Clean aligners also maintain their transparency for discreet treatment.
Cleaning your aligners should be done twice per day and only takes a few minutes, and taking the time to clean them can make all the difference in your oral health during treatment.
Brush And Floss Two-to-Three Times Per Day.
Before we began your treatment, your dentist confirmed that your oral health was already in good condition. Attempting to move your teeth when unhealthy could result in unnecessary pain and damage to your smile.
When treatment begins, your oral health routine needs to be even better than without braces! We know your teeth are covered most or all of the day by clear aligners or bonded appliances, but maintaining oral hygiene is just as important as before treatment. In fact, brushing and flossing twice a day during treatment might even be more important than without braces.
We recommend switching to an automatic toothbrush with a timer and pressure sensor to guarantee you are properly and thoroughly cleaning your teeth. The pressure sensor and timer make sure you are brushing with enough force to adequately clean and for long enough time. The timer also keeps you from under-brushing, which can leave behind bacteria and plaque that eat away at the enamel. Weakened enamel, no matter the cause, leaves teeth vulnerable to decay or disease.
Coppe & Sears Can Help You Obtain The Smile Of Your Dreams Without Sacrificing Oral Health.
At Coppe & Sears, we care just as much about your alignment as we do about your oral health. We take pride in creating healthy, beautiful smiles that you are just as proud to show off.
Our entire team is dedicated to making your treatment as safe and effective as possible without compromising results or comfort.
To learn more about oral health during treatment, contact us today to speak to a helpful team member or to book an appointment with one of our skilled doctors.
We look forward to helping you and your family have smiles that you love. See you soon!