Braces and clear aligners transform your smile. But during your time with them, their upkeep can feel like a challenge. Keeping them clean can feel like a chore, but good hygiene will keep your teeth and gums healthy. What can you do at home between dental appointments to keep your braces or clear aligners in the best shape possible?
Braces
Avoid Sticky Foods
The best way to keep your braces clean is to avoid certain food. Gum, sticky candy, popcorn, and so on get caught in your braces, making them very challenging to clean. You can avoid this problem by not eating this food.
Brush After Eating
Whether you have braces or not, you should brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time. With braces, it’s a good idea to brush after each meal or even after each snack. If you can’t brush, at least rinse your mouth out well to flush out pieces of food that get stuck in your braces.
Use Floss & Mouthwash
Flossing with braces is tricky, but it’s very important. There are different types of floss, so find one that works for you. Floss threaders, which are designed with braces in mind, are very useful. Waterpik® flossers are also worth looking into. After flossing, use mouthwash to kill the bacteria hiding in hard-to-reach places around your braces.
Clear Aligners
Take Them Out When Eating or Drinking
One of the great aspects of clear aligners is that you can take them out. You should remove and rinse them every time you eat or drink anything other than water. If you don’t, the aligners can harbor bacteria and become discolored.
Regularly Wash with Soap & Cool Water
You never want to use hot water with your clear aligners. Heat causes warping. Cool water, a little liquid clear soap, and a soft-bristled brush are all that’s needed. Brush your aligners each time you brush your teeth.
Brush & Floss Before Putting Them Back In
Whenever you remove your aligners, you want to clean your teeth before you put the aligners back in. Otherwise, food can get stuck between the aligners and your teeth.
Questions About Caring for Braces or Aligners?
If you have any questions about keeping your braces or aligners clean, please contact Stroope Orthodontics! Dr. Stroope and the team at our Springdale and Farmington offices are here to help in any way we can.
