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Although now your teeth might look like a complex object with your freshly installed braces, brushing your teeth with braces is not completely different than brushing your teeth before. For example, it’s still best practice to brush your teeth twice a day (aim for two minutes or more), and a good practice to dislodge food from your teeth.
However, in the beginning, you may notice your teeth feel a bit more sensitive than before. So aim to use a soft bristle toothbrush, which is not as harsh on the gums and teeth, and is especially soft on your brackets or wires. Use sensitive teeth toothbrush without teeth whitening properties to cleanse your teeth, without being too harsh on your braces. Likewise, it’s best to avoid teeth whitening toothpaste as the acrylic holding your braces will prevent that area from lighting up. So to avoid your teeth having spots where the acrylic bonder is, stick to general toothpaste.
After eating a meal, try swishing water around your mouth to dislodge food particles, or try interdental brushes for food that gets stuck in hard to reach places. If you don’t have a toothbrush in your purse or bag, dislodging food with water is a quick fix for cleaning your teeth. However, make sure to follow up with brushing your teeth later to avoid food build up.
If you would like more information on brushing your teeth with braces, contact Dr. Wiltshire of Straighten Up Orthodontics in Silver Spring, Maryland. Dr. Wiltshire and the team at Straighten Up Orthodontics have been providing professional orthodontic treatments to patients in the Silver Spring, Maryland area for more than 10 years. To reach their office, use their contact form.