Taking Care of Your Clear Braces
If you get clear braces, the dentist will typically provide instructions regarding maintenance and cleaning. Clear braces are created with porcelain instead of metals, as in traditional metal braces. Ceramic braces blend with the teeth color, so you need to make sure they stay clean, white and intact to prevent trouble during treatment
Caring for clear braces
The following are tips for caring and maintaining clear braces:
Brush thoroughly
For those who have clear braces, it is not enough to brush the teeth in the morning and night only. Patients need to brush at least three times daily to ensure every clear bracket is clean and free of food remnants. Brushing should also be done after consuming beverages such as soda and black coffee. It is advisable to procure an electric toothbrush for proper cleaning, if possible.
Get professional cleaning
It is crucial to visit the dentist just to have ceramic brackets cleaned by a dental professional. This appointment could happen twice during the year. The dentist who placed the brackets will do a better job at cleaning stubborn stains and hardened plaque from around the brackets, teeth and wires.
Avoid teeth-staining foods
To reduce the stains on the teeth, patients need to avoid teeth-staining foods such as coffee, alcohol, sodas and anything with artificial coloring. The pigment can affect clear brackets and make them look less appealing. If avoiding these types of foods seems impossible, it is best to keep a toothbrush or dental rinse nearby to clean the teeth and brackets immediately.
Floss and rinse
Flossing is highly helpful for eliminating food debris that is trapped in the braces and teeth. Brushing is sometimes not enough to remove the remnants of the food, so patients must ensure they floss at least once daily. They also need to use mouthwash in the morning and night to reach the mouth crevices that cannot be reached with a toothbrush and floss.
A concentrated antibacterial mouthwash can eliminate bacteria in the mouth. Some dentists suggest using a water pick to make the process easier. Flossing and rinsing help to keep the teeth clean and prevent oral issues.
Avoid smoking
Smoking is bad for oral health, and more importantly, it can stain the ceramic braces and the teeth. The stains are often stubborn and hard to clean. A smoker considering ceramic braces need to consider quitting before starting treatment.
Get prescribed products
It is advisable to avoid buying whitening kits over the counter. Every product used while wearing clear braces should be according to the dentist’s instructions. Some products can harm the teeth and ruin the result of the teeth-straightening procedure.
Final note
You need to learn how to take care of your clear braces properly. This also includes visiting your dentist regularly for checkups. If something is wrong or adjustments are needed, the dentist will notice that and intervene promptly. Throughout the treatment, you need to take oral care more seriously, as a simple problem can worsen and lead to costly procedures.
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