Tips To Stay Cavity-Free With Traditional Braces and Invisible Braces.

If you have braces, whether they are invisible or metal braces, it is essential to keep your teeth healthy and clean. After all, you have installed the braces to help in realigning your teeth for a beautiful smile. With braces, maintaining proper oral hygiene is paramount to prevent dental cavities from occurring. Even with braces, tooth decay and cavities are still a worry. That is why at Springvale Dental Clinic, we recommend having a dental check-up and cleaning bi-annually.

On the other hand, your walk-in dentist may suggest more frequent visits to help keep tartar and plaque build-up under control. Here are more tips on how to stay cavity-free with traditional and invisible braces.

• Brush your Teeth after Every Meal

Braces tend to trap the food on your teeth; therefore, it is important to take time after every meal and brush. The sooner you brush your teeth after meals, the less likely it is to cause tooth cavities. Spend at least 5-10 seconds on each tooth before moving to the next. Brush in and around all the wires and brackets. Press your toothbrush gently but firmly so that the bristles can spread widely into the gaps between your teeth and braces. Always use a soft toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste.

With the invisible braces, you will be able to remove them each time you brush and floss your teeth. Therefore, keeping your invisible braces clean and your teeth cavity-free is so much easier.

• Consider a Waterpik

A Waterpik or water flosser is perfect for cleaning your gums, removing plaque, and loosening stubborn food remains that are stuck in your wires and brackets. However, keep in mind that using a water flosser does not replace regular flossing. A Waterpik is also a good tool for invisible braces.

• Drink Plenty of Water

Staying hydrated by drinking a lot of water will prevent a dry mouth by encouraging the flow of saliva. Water will also wash away any food debris and bacteria that may cause cavities. Also, since you can drink water with your invisible braces, staying hydrated is something patients with traditional braces and clear braces can easily achieve.

• Chew Sugar-free Gum after Meals

Chewing xylitol sugar-free gum has oral health benefits, including stimulating saliva, which helps in preventing cavities. And, of course, you can still chew gum with invisible braces since they are removable. Sugarless gum is less sticky, and apart from preventing cavities, chewing on it can help reduce discomfort when you get your braces adjusted.

Bottom Line

At the end of your restorative treatment, you will have improved oral health and a beautiful smile. However, for you to reach that point and ensure you achieve amazing results, you will have to give your braces and smile the care and love they deserve. Life with braces does not require too much effort, but some of the mentioned tips are things you will need to keep in mind so that your appliances stay in perfect shape and comfortable. Visit us at Springvale Dental Clinic today, and our amazing walk-in dentist will point you in the right direction.

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