Cleaning teeth that are obstructed by metal braces is different, to say the least. Your teen might be tempted to let their oral hygiene slide, but brushing and flossing is even more important for them than ever. Debris that gets left behind can trigger tooth decay and gum disease quicker than you might think. Here are some tips that will help your teen stay healthy and mitigate their frustrations!
Remove and Rinse
Some orthodontic setups come with elastics or other accessories. Your teen should remove these first to ensure they’re out of the way and don’t block bacteria from being washed out.
The trickiest part about cleaning traditional braces is dealing with the wires and brackets. A good warm water rinse can help loosen stubborn food particles from their appliance!
Thread The Floss
It’s a good idea to floss while debris is still loose. Brushing first might push icky stickies right back where they came from! To floss effectively, your teen should carefully thread the floss, working it under and behind the wire. Floss is quite small, so a floss threader or other similar products could help in handling it. From there, they just need to repeat the process for each gap – even the back molars.
Angles Get Results
It’s generally recommended to hold a toothbrush at a 45 degree angle for normal cleaning. With braces, this trick is still useful! Angling their brush will help your teen get soft bristles behind wires and thoroughly scrub brackets. You might also want to remind them to take it slow. Trying to speed-run their routine could actually make dislodging debris and bacteria more difficult, ultimately consuming more of their time, not less.
Rinse and Repeat
After that, another good rinse will eject unwelcome stowaways and help your teen feel fresh. Though they might have to repeat the whole process for particularly tough customers. If your orthodontic patient starts to feel more like a victim, have them track what they’re eating. It could be that certain snacks are giving them more trouble and are better left off the menu.
Your Dentist Can Help Too
That’s not the only thing you can do for an adolescent who frequently struggles with their oral hygiene. As a trained professional, your pediatric dentist can conduct a much more thorough, powerful cleansing. Even if your teen does take to their new routine like a fish to water, have them visit every six months. Your pediatric dentist will help make sure their teeth stay pristine!
About the Practice
As a board-certified pediatric specialist, Dr. Maria Murad has devoted her education to learning the best ways to care for children and adolescents. She knows it’s important to meet them where they’re at and help them feel safe and comfortable. If your teen is struggling with their braces, Dr. Murad can certainly help them find tips that work! To contact her office, call 905-995-6060.