Did you know that proper oral hygiene during treatment, can actually help you get your braces off sooner? That’s right, taking care of your teeth, gums and mouth can help prevent problems that might otherwise delay completion. Our goal is to give you that Molen Magic Smile as soon as possible and the good news is that you can help.
The first thing to remember is that it’s always important to keep your teeth and mouth clean. When you are wearing braces on your teeth, it’s even more critical! There are many types of bacteria in your mouth. Swollen gums and low-grade infections create an environment that not only makes orthodontics uncomfortable but can slow tooth movement as well.
There are two parts to oral hygiene. Teeth and gums. Keeping both clean will help keep treatment moving along on schedule.
Teeth: The braces, wires, springs and ties on your teeth all act as food traps. Bacteria can result if the food is not completely removed. This can also result in swollen gums and unpleasant breath. Steps you can take to ensure that your teeth are clean include…
Floss daily (at night) using the floss threaders we gave you.
Use your fluoride rinse daily after brushing. Be sure to swish well in areas that are hard to clean in between the teeth and stimulate the gums at least once a day.
If you cannot brush after a meal, swish with water to loosen any food still left on your teeth.
Regular use of WaterPik or any other oral irrigation appliance can be helpful but must be used after brushing. It won’t replace brushing but can remove some particles that the brush cannot reach.
Warm salt water rinses twice daily (eight-ounce glass of warm water with one teaspoon salt).
Gums (gingiva): When braces are attached the gum tissue doesn’t get the natural stimulation that normally occurs as food easily moves over the teeth. As a result it’s critical that you spend time stimulating your gums with a toothbrush. They should always be pink in color, firm in texture and symmetrical in shape. The should NOT be red, puffy, bleeding or irregular in shape. Here is what you can do to keep your gums healthy.
Take two minutes after each meal to brush your teeth and stimulate your gums.
Thirty seconds on the outside of the upper teeth
Thirty seconds on the inside of the upper teeth.
Thirty seconds on the outside of the lower teeth.
Thirty seconds on the inside of the lower teeth.
Following these quick and easy steps can help insure that your treatment is …well…..quick and easy!
