It may seem intimidating to clean your teeth once you receive braces, but it is a feat that can be easily accomplished if you understand the steps to take. For starters, you will need to adjust your approach to brushing your teeth since braces can restrict access to certain areas of your smile unless you alter the angle of your toothbrush. Cleaning braces can seem challenging and awkward in the beginning, but our team can help you achieve a thorough cleaning that reaches every part of your braces, teeth and gums.
In addition to visiting the dentist regularly for professional dental cleanings and exams, it’s important to clean an orthodontic retainer on a weekly basis and maintaining scheduled appointments with the orthodontist. Here are three ways to clean braces and your teeth:
1. Brush your teeth twice a day in two-minute sessions and floss daily to remove any buildup of plaque in hard-to-reach areas. To maintain the quality of your toothbrush bristles so that they can effectively clean your smile, replace your toothbrush after three months to prevent worn bristles.
2. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to brush your gum line. Clean every section of your teeth above and below your braces to remove any bacteria that may be hiding around your brackets.
3. Rinse out your mouth with water prior to brushing your teeth to dislodge debris from around the braces.
If you need to make an appointment with our orthodontist, Dr. David Li, about how to care for braces in San Diego, California, please feel free to contact San Diego Orthodontic Specialists at 858-487-8900 today.
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