Brushing your teeth can help you in a myriad of ways, especially when you have braces. This is why our orthodontists, Dr. Terry Sellke and Dr. Donald Reily, strongly encourage you to brush your teeth and orthodontic appliance regularly. When you brush, you remove the harmful substances from your teeth and braces and increase your chances of preventing dental issues, like cavities and periodontal disease. To help you have a proper and effective brushing routine, our orthodontist is happy to share the following tips with you:
-Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste and interdental brushes to brush. The soft-bristled toothbrush will clean your teeth and appliance and care for the gums. The fluoride toothpaste will strengthen the teeth to help you prevent cavities. And the interdental brushes will help you clean the hard-to-reach areas around your braces.
-Brush your teeth after each meal. This can remove the food particles and bacteria from your smile, which can help you improve your oral health and help you avoid embarrassing food-filled smile moments. To make brushing possible, keep a toothbrush and toothpaste with you.
-Avoid using whitening toothpaste when you brush. This is recommended because the whitening solution will whiten the tooth enamel around the braces brackets but not under them. This can give you an unevenly whitened smile when we remove your braces.
For more information and details about how to brush when you have braces in Grayslake, Antioch and Gurnee, Illinois, please contact Orthodontic Specialists of Lake County at your earliest convenience. Our orthodontic team will be more than happy to give you the answers and help you need, so dial 847-223-2876 now. We look forward to your phone call!
