What is so important about keeping your teeth clean? Let’s
cover the why and how, even if you wear braces.
Why is it important to clean your teeth?
Whether you have baby teeth or permanent teeth, you want
good healthy teeth so you can eat well, live well and enjoy a life free of
pain, disease and discomfort. Once you lose all your baby teeth, it is
even more urgent that you work hard to keep your teeth healthy, since you only
have ONE set of permanent teeth. They are so precious because, if you lose one,
you lose it for life.
If you don’t brush well, you can develop decalcification,
which is equivalent to having scar marks on your teeth. These spots are not
only unaesthetic, but they weaken your teeth and lead to higher chances of
cavities and decay. Tooth decay leads to pain associated with things
like fillings, root canal treatment, expensive restoration, crowns, bridges,
fillings, implants and even dentures. Unhygienic brushing can lead to gingivitis,
gum disease, bone loss or tooth loss.
While you can go through oral rehabilitation to restore your teeth once they are broken or damaged, it is best to prevent these things from happening in the first place. You will save yourself pain, time, expense and headaches, and maintain great oral health. Getting braces is not an excuse for inadequate brushing. You need to spend more time to remove plaque and bacteria that sits around the brackets, teeth and gum surfaces.
By taking good care of your teeth while wearing braces, you will gain the benefits of having healthy teeth and a confident smile.
While you can go through oral rehabilitation to restore your teeth once they are broken or damaged, it is best to prevent these things from happening in the first place. You will save yourself pain, time, expense and headaches, and maintain great oral health. Getting braces is not an excuse for inadequate brushing. You need to spend more time to remove plaque and bacteria that sits around the brackets, teeth and gum surfaces.
By taking good care of your teeth while wearing braces, you will gain the benefits of having healthy teeth and a confident smile.
How to keep your teeth clean:
Begin with good daily habits. Brush your teeth at least
2-3 times daily after meals. Flossing is equally as important as brushing. Flossing
allows the removal of food and bacteria in between the teeth and gums to keep
them healthy.
If you have children, explain the reasons to them. Teach
them the skills, and help them maintain daily discipline and habits of brushing
and flossing. Visiting your family dentist twice a year is part of an
important oral heath regimen.
Care for your teeth while wearing braces:
It is even more important to maintain good oral hygiene
while wearing braces. There are more surfaces for food to get stuck
around the braces and in between your teeth. You need to brush, floss and
remove plaque daily to keep your teeth clean, prevent bad breath, and avoid
irreversible damage to your teeth and gum tissue.
Dr. Nancy Phan recommends avoiding sticky foods and
carbonated drinks. The sugar in these items can create an acidic environment
and easily break down enamel, which can cause damage to the teeth.
Dr. Phan and the staff at Care Orthodontics can give you a
list of foods to avoid while wearing braces and instructions on how to brush,
floss and take care of your teeth while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Visit
us at www.CareOrthodontics.com for more information.
