Did you know brushing is essential when aligning your teeth with braces? Well, it’s true. Brushing helps you clean your teeth, gums and appliance and helps you prevent dental problems, like cavities and periodontal disease. So, it’s important to make brushing a top priority. To help you properly and effectively brush when you have braces in Davenport, Florida, our orthodontist, Dr. Chris Shannon, is happy to give you the tips you need. Those tips are:

-Use the proper oral hygiene tools when brushing, like a soft-bristled toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste and interdental brushes. The soft-bristled toothbrush can properly clean the teeth and braces all while keeping your gums in tip-top shape. The fluoride toothpaste can clean your smile and strengthen your tooth enamel, which can help you avoid cavities. The interdental brushes can clean the small, tight and hard-to-reach spaces around your appliance.

-Brush your teeth throughout the day, like after each time you eat. This can help you maintain clean and pristine teeth, gums and braces and it can even help you avoid food-filled smile moments. Make sure to pack your toothbrush and toothpaste in your backpack, briefcase or purse. If you can’t brush after your meal, swish your mouth with water.

-Avoid using whitening toothpaste when you brush. This is because the whitening solution will whiten the enamel around the brackets, but not under the brackets. This can give you an unevenly colored smile after you remove your braces.

Call Shannon Orthodontics today at 863-353-6867 if you have any questions or if you would like to know more. Our orthodontic team will be happy to give you the answers and information you need about how to brush when you have braces. We look forward to hearing from and helping you!