“How do you stay cavity-free with braces?”
I wear braces and want to have healthy teeth. How do you stay cavity-free with braces?
11 Answers
Water Pik helps and making sure you get your cleanings done with dentist every 6 months and even better would be every 3 months
Same way as normally: brush and floss. Your orthodontist will give you special flossers to help.
Brushing, flossing designed for use with braces, and a Waterpik.
Brush and floss your teeth 3 times a day, and go to the dentist for a routine check-up every 6 months.
You brush after each meal, keep the food away off of your teeth.
STAY REGULAR WITH BRUSHING AND WATER PICK AND GO TO YOUR DENTIST FOR REGULAR 6-MONTH CLEANINGS AND EXAMS.
Brush and clean with interdental cleaners such as soft-piks or proxybrushes daily. Also good idea to have a prescription strength fluoride toothpaste available to brush on your teeth before bedtime.
If you wish to stay cavity free while wearing braces, use an “electric” toothbrush (not just battery operated) and a water pik every day, most importantly in the evenings before you go to sleep. It is important that you are trained in the proper use of these 2 devices. Brushing after every meal would be ideal. If you aren’t able, then at least vigorously swish with water after a meal or snack.
Braces certainly complicate oral hygiene but you can get through the process cavity-free if you are very diligent. Brushing is important, but with all the "hardware" in your mouth, the brush is not going to remove all the food and plaque (bacteria) that collects. A Waterpik is very helpful; stay away from lots of refined sugars and carbs. Use a Fluoride rinse and have your dentist/orthodontist apply fluoride varnish periodically. Sucking on Xylitol lozenges is also helpful. You can find great cavity prevention products at www.carifree.com.
Water flosser
President prescription toothpaste
MI paste
Avoid sticky sugar snacks
Chew sugar free gum
President prescription toothpaste
MI paste
Avoid sticky sugar snacks
Chew sugar free gum
Oral hygiene is very important throughout your entire life but especially while you’re in braces. The key to staying cavity free with or without braces is consistent flossing and brushing. A patient without braces may only need to brush for 2 minutes. A patient with braces may need to brush for 4-5 minutes because the brackets and wires provide extra obstacles to getting your teeth clean. Brushing along the gum line softly and in small circles and flossing at least 3 times a week will help to prevent gum puffiness. Hope this helps!
