Helpful Tips For Cleaning Your Dental Braces

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Electric Toothbrush 

It is recommended to use an electric toothbrush when you have braces as they generally do a better job with cleaning. An electric toothbrush can achieve more brush strokes in 2 minutes than you can do with your hand. Electric toothbrushes are either circular or oval-shaped, and either use an oscillating or sweeping motion. Electric toothbrushes help remove bacteria from difficult to access areas. These areas are around the braces, around the brackets, the gum line and the biting surfaces of the teeth. 

 

Water Flosser 

A water flosser is a helpful flossing aid that actually uses a jet of water to help flush out bacteria from around the braces and between the teeth. You can either use water or mouthwash in your water flosser. 

 

Proxabrush 

This is a type of brush that helps to clean between the brackets, which can be a tough area to access with your toothbrush and floss or a water flosser. A proxabrush is quite similar to the end of a pipe cleaner; it has small bristles that extend outward and helps by trapping plaque and pulling it out. Rinse your proxabrush with water between use.

 

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Fluoride 

Fluoride is an essential component in keeping your teeth healthy with and without braces. When you have brackets on your teeth and plaque building up around the brackets, sometimes you can end up with white “decalcified” areas around the brackets when you get your braces off. Fluoride helps to keep the enamel of your teeth strong and healthy so that plaque has less of a chance of damaging your teeth. Fluoride strengthens your enamel to prevent cavities. 

 

Regular Cleanings 

Regular dental cleanings and checkups are necessary when braces are on to access the nooks and crannies that are difficult for you to access at home. All the plaque, tartar and staining will be cleaned off your teeth, your teeth and gums will be thoroughly checked over, and brushing and flossing will be reviewed. 

 

If you have any questions about how to keep your braces clean, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment. 


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Mississauga Dental Arts

(905) 286-1569

Mississauga, ON Dentist
Mississauga Dental Arts
350 Burnhamthorpe Road East #2
Mississauga, ON L5A 3S5
(905) 286-1569