Best Toothbrush or Floss for Braces
Braces correct a wide range of malocclusion problems to give individuals straighter teeth and a well-aligned bite. When braces treatment is complete, and the teeth are spaced properly, caring for the smile will be easy. However, while braces are in place, oral hygiene care can be a little tricky.
It is vital that patients with braces continue to brush and floss regularly to prevent plaque and tartar from forming between the teeth or around braces brackets. The experienced dentists at Bell Dental offer our Lake Jackson, TX, patients tips on the best types of toothbrush and floss for braces so it will be easier for patients to care for the teeth during treatment.
Choosing a Toothbrush
When brushing the teeth during braces treatment, it is important to clean both the teeth and braces. However, too much force or pressure could damage braces, especially their delicate wires. To avoid damage, we recommend that our Lake Jackson patients choose a soft-bristled toothbrush. Soft bristles will clean the teeth and conform to brackets and wires without exposing them to unnecessary force.
The size of the head should also be considered when shopping for a toothbrush for braces. A smaller toothbrush head can make it easier to reach tight spaces between the teeth and around brackets and wires. If individuals opt for a toothbrush with a smaller head, they should break their brushing up into sections; cleaning the top of the teeth, around the brackets, along the wires, and then finally brushing the bottom portion of the teeth beneath the brackets and wires.
Can I Use an Electric Toothbrush?
Many people prefer to brush with an electric toothbrush, but they wonder if they can continue to do so during braces treatment. Electric toothbrushes can be very beneficial to patients with braces. The circular motion helps clean the teeth thoroughly, and many have built-in timers that allow patients to ensure they are brushing for two minutes at a time.
If patients opt for an electric toothbrush, they should look for one that has a gentle setting that won’t be too rough on braces. Patients should also keep in mind the abovementioned tips, and look for an electric toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head.
Selecting the Right Floss
Flossing is an important part of good oral hygiene, and it is especially beneficial to our Lake Jackson patients. Unfortunately, braces wires make it difficult to floss between the teeth as a person normally would. However, if the right tools are used, flossing can continue to be a daily habit throughout braces treatment. Patients should consider these tips when selecting a floss for braces:
- Look for a waxed floss that will glide between the teeth more easily
- Consider using a floss threader to pull floss behind braces wires
- Self-threading braces floss also makes it easier to pull floss behind wires
- A waterpik is a good alternative if flossing is particularly difficult
Contact Us
If you have questions about caring for the teeth during braces treatment, or would like to find out more about the treatment process, the team of dentists at Bell Dental would be happy to provide you with more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our experienced dentists, send us a message at your earliest convenience or call (979) 297-1201.
