Don’t forget about Oral Hygiene with Braces

Why bother to spend thousands of dollars and years of your time on straightening your teeth, and then ignore your oral hygiene? When you have braces, you will need to brush your teeth several times per day, ideally after every meal. Smiles by Lorino Orthodontics says that this may sound like a big pain, but you’ll get used to it. In fact, you will want to brush your teeth often, because food gets stuck between your brackets, which can be really disgusting and cause bad breath and tooth decay. At the very least, Drs. Lorino and Paralkar say you should swish your mouth with water after eating.

For brushing your teeth while wearing braces, Drs. Lorino and Paralkar say you can get an orthodontic toothbrush or use a regular soft toothbrush. Both types of toothbrushes are available in the Allendale area. The important thing is to clean your braces thoroughly, making sure that there is no food debris on any of the brackets. You should also floss at least once per day. It isn’t always easy, but there are many “floss threader” products on the market that help. The team at Smiles by Lorino Orthodontics can show you how to brush and floss properly. Speaking of brushing, remember that it is not recommended that you use a whitening toothpaste when you have braces. It could cause you to have “two tone” teeth after the brackets are removed!

Another thing to remember is that although a device like a Waterpik is great for gum stimulation and dislodging food, it is not a substitute for flossing. Even if you use an oral irrigator, you still need to floss daily.

Because you will be brushing so often, it helps to keep a dental kit with you. Smiles by Lorino Orthodontics recommend that you keep a toothbrush, floss and a spill-proof folding cup in your dental kit.

Smiles by Lorino Orthodontics wants to remind you that as your braces and brackets will rub on the inside of your gums and lips and may cause mouth sores so it is imperitive to keep up with your oral hygiene while wearing braces. If your mouth is sore, you can rinse with warm salt water or take Tylenol or ibuprofen. If you ever have questions or concerns with yourorthodontic treatment, please feel free to stop by the office near Allendale or call us at 908-542-0042. Smiles by Lorino Orthodontics wants you to be happy with that beautiful smile.