dental braces Archives - St. Clair Toronto Dentist - West Village Dental Clinic

Learn How To Keep Your Teeth Clean While Wearing Braces

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Mar 2, 2021 | Dental | 0 comments

It is essential to make sure you keep your teeth, gums and mouth healthy with dental braces because you can be more susceptible to cavities, bacteria build up and gum inflammation during this time. Dental braces can be tricky to clean because there are more nooks and crannies where plaque can get trapped. Surfaces that require adequate and consistent cleaning are the biting surfaces of teeth, along the gum lines, in-between the teeth and around the brackets. Listed below is a range of tools that you should be using to help keep your mouth healthy during braces.

Electric Toothbrush

It is vital to use an electric toothbrush during orthodontic treatment to keep your teeth and braces clean and plaque-free. Electric toothbrushes can do a better job of cleaning than manual toothbrushes due to their electronic brush strokes. Electric toothbrushes come in an either circular or oval shape and use either an oscillating or a sweeping motion. Electric toothbrushes can help access areas that are difficult to get to with a manual toothbrush. Make sure to use your electric toothbrush at least twice a day.

Water Flosser

A water flosser is a tool that utilizes a jet of water to help flush out plaque from around the teeth, gums and brackets. A water flosser is the best way to access difficult areas that a toothbrush can’t fit, such as between the teeth. Make sure to use your water flosser at least once a day.

Floss & Floss Threaders/ Superfloss

Flossing can be tricky with dental braces, but floss threaders and super floss help speed up the process. Both of these tools have a rigid end that helps to poke the floss underneath the wire. Floss threaders use regular floss to loop through, and super floss is a pre-cut piece of floss. Make sure to use your floss at least once a day.

clean dental braces brush dentist

Proxabrush

This is a small pipe cleaner-looking brush that helps clean between brackets and underneath the archwire, which can be challenging to access. The small bristle protrusions trap and pull out plaque. Try to use your proxabrush at least once a day.

Dental cleanings are recommended more frequently during orthodontic treatment to help keep your teeth and gums clean, around every 3-4 months. If you have any questions about tools to use during orthodontic treatment, we encourage you to contact us to schedule an appointment today.

Learn How To Keep Teeth Clean If You Have Dental Braces

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Dec 12, 2019 | Dental | 0 comments

Orthodontics provides so many benefits for your teeth, gums and oral health. However, dental braces can make it more challenging to keep your teeth clean. It is vital to make sure to maintain the health of your teeth and gums with braces on, but you need to have the right tools at home to do so. Listed below are essential tools to use while you have braces on your teeth.

Electric Toothbrush

It is essential to use an electric toothbrush while you have braces on. Electric toothbrushes can perform more brush strokes in 2 minutes to compared to manual brushing. Electric toothbrushes also do a great job of cleaning around orthodontic bands and brackets that are difficult to access.

electric tooth dental braces

Water Flosser

A water flosser is a great idea to use to clean between teeth and around brackets and bands. You can use either water or mouth wash. A great idea is to use a mouth wash containing fluoride to reduce your cavity risk. The water flosser flushes out food particles and bacteria, reducing plaque accumulation.

Fluoride

Fluoride is an essential component in keeping teeth healthy with braces. Because plaque accumulation can be more challenging to prevent, fluoride strengthens the enamel of the teeth, preventing tooth decay. Use fluoride in your toothpaste twice a day and as an added dose, use a mouthwash containing fluoride once a day. Remember not to eat, drink or rinse for 30 minutes after fluoride so it can work properly.

Super Floss/ Floss Threader

Flossing is more difficult with braces on, so you will need to use floss specifically designed to help get under the archwire. Super floss is a pre-cut piece of floss with a rigid end that is easy to stick between the teeth near the gum line. Floss threaders are loops that are used to pull the floss between the teeth. Both super floss and floss threaders work well, so use whichever you prefer.

Proxabrush

A proxabrush is a tool designed to help clean between brackets. It looks like a small pipe cleaner with thin bristles that dislodge plaque on the sides of the brackets, accessing areas that are difficult with the toothbrush and floss.

Lastly, it is vital to see your dental hygienist regularly for cleanings when you have braces on. Your dental hygienist can clean spots that are difficult to access at home and discuss areas that require more attention. Often, cleanings are recommended every 3-4 months when braces are on. If you have any questions about tools to use at home for cleaning around braces, contact us today to schedule an appointment.

How To Keep Your Teeth Clean With Dental Braces

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Jul 16, 2019 | Dental | 0 comments

It can be tricky to keep your gums and teeth healthy while wearing dental braces. However, it is vital to do so properly to prevent cavities and gum disease. Listed below are essential components in an adequate at-home oral hygiene regimen.

Electric Toothbrush

While wearing dental braces, it is essential to use an electric toothbrush. An electric toothbrush will provide you with a superior clean. They can complete more brush strokes in two minutes than you can accomplish with a manual toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are also able to access tricky areas around the brackets, especially due to their smaller heads.

Water Flosser

A water flosser uses a thin jet of water to flush out bacteria from between the teeth, the brackets and the gum line. A water flosser can be used with either water or mouthwash.

Super Floss / Floss Threaders

For daily flossing, floss aids must be used to access underneath the wire of the braces. You can use either super floss, which is a pre-cut piece of floss with a ridged end to put between the teeth, or floss threaders, which are small loops to put the floss through. Try both options and use the method you prefer.

Proxabrush

A proxabrush is a small pipe cleaner like brush that is great to clean between brackets under challenging areas to reach — the bristles on the brush help to pull plaque out from the sides of the brackets.

Fluoride

Fluoride is an integral component in keeping your teeth healthy and free of cavities. Use toothpaste at least twice a day that contains fluoride as well as a mouthwash once a day that contains fluoride. Fluoride works by strengthening the enamel.

Regular Check-ups and Cleanings

Make sure to see your dentist and dental hygienist regularly for your cleanings and check-ups. It is recommended to come every 3-4 months while the braces are on to help keep your gums and teeth healthy.

If you have any questions about braces or keeping braces clean, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.