Good oral hygiene is always important, but never more so than when you’re wearing braces. If you don’t keep your teeth clean, you’ll end up with white spots where the braces were when it’s time to remove them. Temiko G. Braswell, DDS, PC offers orthodontic treatment for their patients in Perry, GA. However, they know that you have to do your part with proper cleanings to keep your teeth healthy. Here, they offer some tips for oral hygiene with braces.

How to Clean Your Teeth When You Have Braces

1. Brush & Floss

You must brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes at a time to remove any food particles from your mouth. Flossing is also important to get the crumbs that are between the teeth. You’ll need threader floss to get them underneath the wire. Threader floss can be inserted near your gums and pulled out the same way.

2. Rinse Your Mouth

It’s not realistic to ask you to brush your teeth after every meal, but you can and should rinse your mouth after you eat. While you’re already at the sink to wash your hands, you can use a handful of water to swish out your mouth. This will remove a lot of the food particles that can get stuck underneath your wires.

3. Use an Interdental Brush

Your regular toothbrush is too big to fit underneath the wires of your braces. However, any food that gets stuck there will encourage plaque buildup. To clean properly, you need an interdental brush, which is a short, small brush. It’s good practice to use the interdental brush every time before you floss and brush your teeth.

4. Use a Mirror

A look in the mirror can help you ensure you got everything out that was stuck in your teeth and under your wires. You can even use a small handheld mirror to check your back teeth and behind your teeth.

For more tips on how to clean your teeth and braces, call Temiko G. Braswell, DDS, PC at (478) 988-3200. This family dentist offers a full range of dental services and can help you maintain proper oral health while you have braces. Visit the website to make an appointment or learn more about their services.