One of the biggest milestones in a young life, and most rewarding cosmetic procedures in any life is braces. Braces straighten the teeth, creating a beautiful smile, but also can correct a bad bite that may be painful or uncomfortable, causing difficulty breathing or chewing, cracked or chipped teeth, or even fallen teeth. But caring for braces can be overwhelming. Thankfully braces care is a lot easier than it seems. Keep reading for some quick, practical tips for keeping your teeth, wires, and brackets clean during your braces treatment. Water FlossersWhile they don’t replace string floss, a water flosser is a great way to essentially pressure wash bits of food and plaque out of the braces brackets and wires. Loosening this debris with water makes brushing easier, and the teeth look and feel cleanerFloss ThreadersBecause you still need to floss your teeth with braces, using a device like a floss threader to help thread your dental floss around your braces wires can save a lot of time and frustration. If you need help learning how to use a floss threader, speak to Dr. Peterson or one of his staff members for a demonstration. Interdental BrushesInterdental brushes look like little pipe cleaners on sticks and are great for sticking under wires and around brackets to remove food and debris from braces. They are great to keep by the sink or in your purse or backpack for quick clean-ups from meals on the go. Good Old ToothpasteWhen you get braces, you shouldn’t need any special toothpaste unless you did before you got your braces. Just keep brushing twice a day (or preferably after each meal) and you can’t go wrong!MouthwashEven if you’ve never used mouthwash before, adding it to your routine with braces is a great idea because mouthwash can help loosen plaque, bacteria, and food debris that clings to your teeth and braces, making brushing more effective. Whether you are considering braces or already have them, Dr. Peterson and his staff are here to help you take the best care of them possible. If you have any questions or concerns about caring for your braces, please feel free to contact the office today!
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