As your orthodontic team, your treatment time with us is very important to us. We want to help you have a healthy, beautiful smile when your braces come off and our Quality Orthodontic Care team is committed to helping you achieve your alignment goals in Alpharetta, Georgia. Today our orthodontist, Dr. John Fleming, would like to share how you can take good care of your teeth (and braces) along the way.
Oral hygiene is essential for ensuring healthy teeth and gums when your time in braces is done, and long after. To keep tooth decay and gum disease from invading your smile, you will need to get rid of oral bacteria and plaque every single day. This daily practice, along with six-month dental cleanings, will give you good oral health and a smile you can be proud of.
Brushing
Even without braces, food particles and oral bacteria accumulate every time you eat and go on to create plaque which leads to cavities and gingivitis (gum disease). Remove this debris after you eat by brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush. This also protects tooth enamel, the gums, as well as your wires and brackets. An orthodontic toothbrush is ideal for reaching around braces. To clean between the brackets and your teeth, use an interdental toothbrush.
Flossing
Flossing cleans those areas in the mouth where your toothbrush can’t, and that’s a lot of tooth surfaces. Flossing gets rid of sticky plaque and oral debris around your gums, between your teeth, and those under the metal wires of your braces. To gloss, you can try out whatever works for you. Orthodontic floss, pre-threaded flossers, or water flossers are all good choices.
And finally, don’t be tempted to skip your follow-up visits with us. We will help your time in braces stay on their scheduled track and help you with any problems you may have while making sure your braces are working as they should. Please call us today at 770-901-2433 if you have any questions or concerns!