Maintaining a Healthy Smile While Wearing Braces
Once braces are placed, keeping up with oral hygiene becomes even more important. Wires and brackets create more places for food to get trapped, which can lead to plaque buildup and other dental issues if not addressed regularly.
At our Spanish Fork office, we want you to feel confident caring for your smile at home. Our team will walk you through the hygiene habits and tools that work best throughout your treatment.
Brushing and flossing carefully remain the two most effective habits for preventing tooth decay and keeping your mouth healthy while in braces.
Additional Tools to Support Your Oral Health
Beyond regular brushing and flossing, our Spanish Fork
team recommends a few additional tools to help you maintain a healthy smile during treatment.
- Interdental Toothbrush
Also known as a Proxabrush, this small brush is designed to clean around and underneath brackets and wires. Used gently, it helps remove trapped food and plaque without damaging your braces, making it a simple but effective addition to your routine. - Antibacterial Mouthwash
We offer Peroxyl, a hydrogen peroxide antiseptic rinse that helps prevent infection and ease irritation that can come with orthodontic treatment. Peroxyl can be used up to four times daily, typically after meals, after school or work, and before bed. - Topical Fluoride
Phos-Flur is a sodium fluoride gel we recommend to help protect against tooth decay while wearing braces. It works to fight bacteria and restore minerals to the teeth, and each application takes about 30 minutes. - Caring for a Removable Appliance
If you're wearing a removable appliance, such as a retainer, it should be cleaned as often as you brush your teeth. Our Spanish Fork team will show you the best way to keep your appliance clean throughout treatment.
If you have any questions about maintaining good oral hygiene during your treatment, our Spanish Fork team is happy to help. Contact our office today to learn more.