Beautiful smiling girl with retainer for teeth brushing teeth on a white background.
[Note: This is a sponsored post contributed by Dr. Bob Kumra of Kumra Orthondontics. As previously mentioned, I’ll be sprinkling in content that addresses topics applicable to many of us parents as our kids grow. Among that, a monthly post from Dr. Kumra on orthodontia. Kumra Orthodontics has locations in Washington, DC, and Stafford, VA.]
A main concern of many patients of Dr. Kumra is how to avoid having bad breath while wearing braces. The staff at Kumra Orthodontics stresses the importance of how good oral hygiene practices are an important part of your orthodontic treatment. However, braces can make brushing more difficult because food particles can stick to the brackets, wires make it hard to floss in between the teeth, and plaque can build up on the surface of the teeth. Keeping teeth healthy and clean during the course of orthodontic treatment help them settle into their new positions faster and easier.
Brushing Your Teeth
This is a major part of good oral hygiene and keeping bad breath at bay. To effectively clean teeth, mouth, and braces, first rinse the mouth out with water to dislodge any food in and around the braces. Dr. Kumra advises that when starting to brush, use a fluoride toothpaste and brush the gum line at a 45-degree angle. Then, angle the brush downwards and cover the tops of each bracket, and angle it up to brush the bottoms of the brackets. Be sure to brush every tooth at the gum line, as well as above and below the brackets, and the tops and backs of the teeth. This will ensure that the maximum area of the teeth’s surfaces are reached and will remove any plaque or food remnants. And Kumra Orthodontics recommends that even if your child has been brushing on their own, they may need help with brushing until they’re comfortable with this new routine.
Flossing Your Teeth
Another good oral hygiene habit is flossing teeth. The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) avers that flossing is just as critical to good oral hygiene as brushing. Although the archwire running through the brackets of braces makes this difficult, there are several methods that will help. Dr. Kumra says that one popular tool used for flossing is a floss pick. These are two-pronged and are small enough to fit under the wires to hold a section of floss between them. The opposite end has a pick that is useful to clean brackets or between teeth. Floss picks are available for both children and adults, and can be either reusable or single-use. Another tool commonly used is a floss threader; a thin piece of plastic with a loop at the end to hold the floss.
Use a Fluoride Rinse
Another step to take is to use a fluoride rinse that will clean out any remaining food particles and also help to prevent bad breath. Swish the solution around in the mouth for thirty seconds, then spit it out into the sink. Try to refrain from eating for thirty minutes after rinsing just to make sure that your teeth remain clean.
By following Dr. Bob Kumra’s tips, patients can maintain good oral hygiene and possibly speed up treatment time. If you have any questions, give the Kumra Orthodontics team a call at 202.785.8672. They all have the knowledge to help take care of teeth and braces. If you’re looking for an experienced orthodontic team that will take every step to make sure that your treatment experience with braces in the DC area is as comfortable as possible, then give them a call to schedule a consultation today!
This is really good advice to have healthy teeth. Thank you for sharing your information. I will return to this blog to track the latest information.
Nice guide and tips that everyone can follow for their oral care needs.