Dental Cleanings During Orthodontic Treatment in Edmonton

The risk of experiencing gum problems and tooth decay is a lot higher when you are wearing metal braces. The orthodontist near you will ask you to schedule a dental cleaning at least once every three months during your orthodontic treatment. This is essential to eliminate stains, tartar deposits, and plaque on your teeth and metal brackets.

Things to Do to Keep Your Teeth Clean According to Your Orthodontist in Edmonton

Braces can be composed of rubbers, wires, brackets, springs, and other materials that can attract plaque and cause tooth discolouration if the appliance is not cleaned properly. Your orthodontist near you will recommend you brush your teeth after every snack or meal with fluoridated toothpaste. You need to carefully eliminate the foods that are stuck on your braces. Mouthwash can also be helpful for the places that you can’t reach with your toothbrush.

Floss Your Teeth Properly

Flossing your teeth can be a challenge for those who have braces. Nonetheless, this is necessary if you want to ensure the optimal health of your oral cavity. According to your orthodontist in Edmonton, you should start by inserting one end of the floss between the upper portion of your teeth and the archwire. You will then have to execute a mild sawing movement to clean each side of the teeth. You should be cautious of the force that you apply on the archwire since you don’t want to damage it accidentally. 

Brush Your Teeth

You can either use a regular toothbrush or one that is prescribed by your orthodontist near you when cleaning your teeth. It is necessary to provide your teeth with individual attention and care. After using a regular type of brush, you can then use the ‘Christmas-tree brush’ that is designed for cleaning the space between your braces.

Take Care of Your Retainers

When you are brushing your teeth, you need to take care of your retainers as well. However, you should not use toothpaste when brushing it. You can disinfect it using a good denture cleanser recommended by your orthodontist in Edmonton. This should be done at least once per day or in some cases once every week. Some of the best denture cleansers are Polident and Efferdent. Simply add the cleanser to a glass of warm (not hot) water. After that, rinse the retainer with regular water before placing it back into your mouth.

Avoid Eating Some Foods

Certain foods can have a detrimental impact on your braces. Therefore, your orthodontist near you will advise you to stay away from them for the meantime. These foods can bend, loosen, and break the bands and wires of your braces.

• Hard foods like biscuits and nuts.
• Avoid eating meat off the bones. The brackets can become stuck to the hard bone and break. Remove the meat from the bone using a fork and cut it into pieces with a knife before eating it.
• Carrots and apples should be grated or chopped into small bits before you eat them to significantly decrease the pressure they can apply on your braces.
• Popcorn can also be hazardous if you are wearing braces. You can end up biting the kernel corns that failed to pop.
• Sticky foods such as fruit bars, toffees, and caramels should be avoided at all costs.
• Chewing gums
• It is also time to let go of your poor habits such as pencil chewing, nail-biting, and picking at your wires. You need to be consciously aware of your movement and quit any damaging habits.

Avoid Playing Strenuous Sports When Wearing Braces

Your orthodontist in Edmonton also suggests that you refrain from playing sports while wearing your braces, especially contact sports. If this cannot be avoided, they might prescribe a mouthguard that is specially designed for you. This is usually made from a durable plastic material that will perfectly fit over your braces. The mouthguard is also intended to protect the soft tissues of your mouth.