Metal braces can get a bad rep, but when all is said and done, they straighten teeth quite beautifully. Still, while you and your teen wait for that momentous occasion, they might get grossed out. Food particles will get trapped in their orthodontics and can be surprisingly difficult to get out!
Besides being icky, dental debris isn’t good for your teen’s oral health. Fortunately, there are ways they can maneuver around their orthodontics to get at stubborn food particles. With some practice and these protips, cleaning braces can be a breeze!
Rinse, Floss, and Then Brush!
Both you and your teen are probably used to brushing your teeth first, then getting between gaps with floss. However, brushing first with braces can force food particles into even harder-to-reach places! Instead, your teen should swish warm water around their mouth to loosen up debris. After removing larger pieces with a good flossing, it’ll be much easier for a toothbrush to do its thing.
Bonus tip: water flossers are generally more effective than traditional thread and can be especially helpful for braces!
Clean with A Flourish
The way that your teen uses their toothbrush is also important. Holding your brush at a 45-degree angle is recommended for all kinds of teeth and is particularly effective for cleaning brackets and getting behind wires. Moving in a circular motion is another way to get the laws of physics on your side.
Bonus tip: electric toothbrushes can come with changeable brush heads, including ones specially designed for metal orthodontics.
Routines Get Results
Your teen might find oral hygiene with braces tedious, especially when they have to keep it up twice a day! But it’s important for the two of you to remember that a consistent cleaning routine will:
- Make it easier to dislodge food particles day by day. If it’s tough now, it will certainly be difficult with excessive buildup!
- Get easier with time. The more your teen brushes and flosses properly, the better they’ll get at working out unwanted customers. They might even develop a few of their own protips.
At-home oral hygiene routines are crucial for preventing gum disease, cavities, and other uncomfortable dental issues. And so are regular visits to the dentist! Since your teen is undergoing an orthodontic treatment, it’s even more vital to check in on their progress and have their pearly whites professionally cleaned every six months. Eventually, your teen might look forward to the fresh feeling of having pristine pearly whites!
About the Practice
Dr. Corey and Dr. Nicole are a husband-and-wife team that utilize each other’s unique specialties to provide comprehensive pediatric services. As a certified orthodontist, Dr. Nicole can help your teenager with their metal braces, while Dr. Corey can help them maintain pristine pearly whites. If you’re in need of some professional protips for orthodontic hygiene, they’d be happy to help! To contact their office, call 630-778-9500.
