Your son or daughter’s new braces represent a serious investment in realigning their teeth for a healthier mouth and a more appealing smile. A daily oral hygiene routine can effectively clean away residual food particles and plaque to prevent problems like tooth decay and gum disease. If left unchecked, these problems would likely increase the amount of time they need to wear braces.
It’s not uncommon for it to be challenging to clean some of the hard-to-reach spots in and around the hardware, as well as between their teeth. There are a few special, tools that Liang Orthodontics recommends to help them better clean and maintain their braces.
A floss threader is a simple loop shaped tool that is loaded with floss. It can help them work floss around and past wires and other hardware. Wax coated floss also tends to slip easily into hard to reach places.
Interdental brushes with small angled brush heads can help brush between wires and brackets to remove food particles from the contours where their teeth seat in the gums. They are especially handy for getting small food particles out bands and spacers.
Dental water jets produce a small, concentrated stream of water that can help loosen and wash away food particles from hard to reach places. Just keep in mind that they cannot replace the effectiveness of floss for cleaning between teeth and into the gum line.
If you have questions about how to effectively clean your teeth and braces, you can call Liang Orthodontics at 301-983-3132 to schedule an appointment.