It is important to practice proper oral hygiene throughout the course of orthodontic treatment.

If you have decided to undergo orthodontic treatment in the form of braces, you can look forward to a straighter, healthier smile. An important part of maintaining your oral health throughout the course of your orthodontic treatment is to practice proper oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth regularly, as well as flossing every day.

Read on to find out why flossing is so important, and how to do it correctly while you have braces…

Why is flossing important?  

It is impossible to remove all food particles and plaque from between your teeth and along your gumline by brushing alone. Flossing helps to get rid of plaque and goes a long way in preventing oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease.

Every time that you eat, bacteria feeds on the leftover food particles and sugars in your mouth. When bacteria digest these sugars, they release harmful acids that attack the enamel of the teeth. This, in turn, can cause cavities to develop.

When plaque is left to build upon the teeth, it hardens into tartar, which can lead to gum disease over time.

For these reasons, it is essential that you remove plaque and food debris by flossing regularly whether you have braces or not.

How do you floss with braces?

If you have braces, it is important that you floss daily in order to thoroughly clean between the teeth and in areas that are hard to reach with your toothbrush alone. When flossing, make sure that you floss between each tooth. It is also a good idea to clean under the wires and around the brackets with the help of an interproximal brush.

When it comes to flossing with braces, there are a number of techniques and tools to choose from. Traditional flossing is effective but can be difficult and time-consuming with braces. You may find it helpful to use a floss threader to get the floss underneath the wires. Waxed floss also tends to be easier to use as it is less likely to get stuck on your braces. Other options for flossing with braces include water flossers and interdental flossing brushes.

How else can you take care of your teeth with braces?

As well as brushing and flossing every day, it is advisable that you see your dentist for professional cleans on a regular basis. When you have a professional clean, your dentist will remove plaque from around the brackets in order to keep your teeth healthy, as well as to prevent stains and discolouration.

In order to take care of your teeth, try to brush after every meal or snack. If this is not possible, be sure to rinse your mouth with water in order to get rid of food particles that may be stuck in your braces or teeth.

Try to stick to a healthy diet and limit your consumption of sugary foods and drinks that contribute to the build-up of plaque. It is also advisable that you avoid hard and sticky foods that can get stuck and cause damage to your braces — these include hard and chewy candy, as well as popcorn and chewing gum.

How can we help?

At Honeysuckle Dental, we offer Fastbraces, which are a fast, safe, convenient and affordable teeth alignment solution. The braces work by moving the crown and root simultaneously, which reduces treatment time quite considerably when compared to traditional braces. 

Fastbraces can be used to resolve a wide range of orthodontic issues, including overbite and spacing issues; crossbite, crowding, open bite and misalignment issues. If you would like to find out whether you are a suitable candidate for the treatment, we encourage you to come in and see us so that we can perform an assessment and discuss your particular needs.

To book an appointment, please contact us here or give us a call on (02) 4915 9230.