Braces are an excellent way to straighten your teeth and improve your smile; however, even straight teeth are less appealing to look at when they are covered in stains and decay. According to the family dentist office of David A. Dauphin, D.M.D. in Dothan, AL, you have to be diligent about flossing and brushing while wearing braces if you want your teeth to remain white and healthy.

Below are a few ways dentists suggest you can maintain your oral hygiene while wearing braces:

• Don’t Skimp on the Accessories: After your orthodontist  applies your braces, they’ll give you a bag full of dental tools to take home. These dental accessories will make it easier to keep your teeth clean. An inter-dental brush will help clean between brackets, and a tuft-interproximal brush will help to clean the spaces or gaps between your teeth.
• Always Clean Around the Brackets: Every time you brush your teeth, you need to use your inter-dental brush. It is easy for food particles to stick to brackets, so you need to thoroughly clean between each set. Start from one side and work your way around so you don’t skip any teeth. Use a small mirror to make sure there aren’t any small particles.
• Floss at Least Once a Day: Flossing is never more important than when you are wearing braces. It is easy enough for food to get stuck between teeth without them. Use your floss threader to gently guide the floss behind the archwire and up to your gum line.
• Brush Twice a Day: Be sure to use a soft toothbrush while you are wearing braces and use it to make smooth, circular motions over your teeth and brackets. Don’t brush in a back and forth motion as this could cause tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Remember to use your interproximal brush to better get between the gaps of your teeth.

In addition to practicing good oral hygiene at home, you also need to maintain regular cleaning and dental exams with your family dentist. To schedule an appointment with David A. Dauphin, D.M.D. today, call (334) 794-3727. You can also visit their website to learn more about their cosmetic dentistry services.