The success of your orthodontic treatment takes a team effort from you, your orthodontist and your family dentist. You as a patient play a very key part. Keeping your teeth clean is important during your orthodontic treatment.
Proper dental care while you’re wearing your braces or Invisalign will take extra time and effort but it’s well worth it when you are done with your orthodontic treatment and can show the world your new beautiful smile!
Good dental hygiene is critical during orthodontic treatment. Without it, plaque and food can accumulate around your braces. The bacterian plaque reacts with sugars and starches and forms an aid that can eat away the enamel on your teeth leading to permanent marks, cavities and gingivitis.
Early poor oral hygiene can be reversed with professional help and good home care. Your orthontist and staff will help you with proper instructions, but if will only be a success if you do your part at home. If they detect early signs of poor hygiene it may be mentioned at your regular adjustment appointments
BRUSHING
Using a proper flossing and brushing technique will keep your smile clean during orthodontic treatment. The extra time and effort will ensure a successful result and a gorgeous smile. Follow the below tips to ensure you or your child is cleaning properly!
Brush around all four sides of your braces using a fluoride toothpaste, making sure to get all surfaces of each tooth. It is also important to gently brush your gum tissue where the gums meet the teeth.
Brush around all parts of your braces using a fluoride toothpaste, making sure to get all surfaces of your teeth. Don’t forget to gently brush your gum tissues and tongue too.
Inspect your teeth and braces in good lighting after brushing. If you notice missed plaque re-brush until clean. Remember brushing hard is not brushing well and may cause damage to your gums and braces.
FLOSSING
Although it will take more time, make sure to floss every night before you go to bed. Your orthodontic assistant will teach you how to properly floss with braces.
Make sure you clean carefully under the gum lines. This may seem like a difficult task, but it is a very important process in keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
Using a power toothbrush or waterpik will not only help make cleaning your teeth easier, but also more fun for the patient.
COMPLICATIONS
If plaque and tartar accumulate on your braces and teeth, it can leave permanent white spots on the surface of your teeth. This is called decalcification, and the marks remain present for life.
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. Plaque irritates the gums, and causes them to become red, puffy, or swollen. Your gums may even bleed when you try to brush or floss your teeth.
Over time, plaque will harden to a substance called calculus. Calculus will accumulate and cannot be removed by routine brushing. You will need to have calculus professionally removed by your family dental hygienist. If calculus is left on your teeth, it can cause gaps and pockets between your teeth and gums. This called periodontitis.
Camp Hill, PA 
Camp Hill, PA