Redwood City (650) 365-6170 Looking at your smile with your braces on, it may be difficult to see your teeth behind all that metal. But rest assured, they are still there, and despite all of that dental work, they still need to be brushed and flossed. In fact, because your braces can trap food particles, dental care is even more important while you are wearing them.
Normally, it’s a good idea to brush at least twice a day and floss once a day. With braces, you should brush and floss at 30 minutes after every meal. You should wait for those thirty minutes to allow your saliva time to neutralize the acid from your meal. Before you start to brush, rinse your mouth with water to remove as much food debris as you can. While it is a good idea to brush for at least two minutes, you should take your time with your braces, and concentrate on brushing one or two teeth at a time.
Start by brushing your gums, and then brush from the gumline down to the tops of your brackets, and the up from the gumline to the bottoms. When you are done, brush the wire. You might find that using regular dental floss is difficult, or even frustrating with your braces. You may want to try using a floss threader or a water flosser. Rinse your mouth again when you are finished.
Along with regular brushing and flossing, you should continue to see your dentist for your regular cleanings and exams. If you are thinking about braces for yourself or another member of your family, our dentist, Dr. Alfonso Gonzalez will be glad to discuss your options with you. If you live in the Redwood City, California, area and would like to schedule an appointment at Gonzalez Dental Care, call (415) 334-4554 today.
