Keeping Your Braces and Mouth Clean

Keeping Your Braces and Mouth Clean
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dianne_Valdez] Dianne Valdez

Congratulations! You just got your braces! Wearing braces could increase the bacteria your mouth holds because now you have this piece of metal covering the front of your tooth which food gets caught in. That's why you need to know the proper way to brush your teeth to maintain a healthy and beautiful smile. I am providing you with some simple steps showing the correct way to brush your teeth while wearing braces.

• Use toothpaste recommended by your dentist or one that has the approval seal of the American Dental Association. Use a soft bristle toothbrush, make sure to point the brush in a 45° angle towards the gums to remove food, plaque bacteria and debris.

• Brush teeth right after each meal and right before bed. Brushing away food prevents bacteria accumulation and residue or stains on teeth. Staining may not be obvious until after the braces are removed.

• Brush your mouth like you usually would with strong gentle strokes. Front, back, and your tongue.

• Be careful when brushing around the braces. Start from the top and brush down.

• Floss with waxed floss using the standard flossing technique. It may be easier to use floss threaders. These allow you to thread the floss through a large eye of the floss threader, like a needle eye of a needle wile sewing with needle and thread. Use the floss threader to easily carry the floss through the wires and floss properly with ease. The floss threaders can be found at drug stores and possibly your Orthodontist's office. Be careful while flossing. Tugging the floss loose could bend the wire, break or loosen the braces. Any shredded pieces of floss left behind can introduce bacteria that increase the risk of cavities and gum disease. Use floss threaders to make it easier to floss around the wire. FLOSS, FLOSS, FLOSS, morning afternoon and night.

• It's a good idea to rinse with an antimicrobial mouth wash to wash away the debris from those hard to reach places under the gums that the floss couldn't get to.

Replace your toothbrush at least every 3 months or you're your toothbrush looks worn. Get a new brush after recovering from a cold because germs from the illness could stay on your toothbrush.

These are a few simple steps to keeping your braces clean and your mouth nice and healthy while wearing braces. A healthy mouth aids in optimal treatment and great final results in attaining that fantastic smile you've always wanted!

A Beautiful Smile is Timeless!

Williams & Williams Orthodontics welcomes all ages from 7 to 70 years old. It's never too late to get braces. Our mission is to provide the best possible orthodontic care to our patients in a professional, comfortable and warm environment. Our main goals are to listen and address our patients concerns, excel in the quality of treatment and exceed our patient's expectations.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Keeping-Your-Braces-and-Mouth-Clean&id=4997375] Keeping Your Braces and Mouth Clean