After you have made the (wise) choice to undergo orthodontic treatment, you might be asking what is next. For a beautiful smile during treatment, it is crucial to take good care of your appliances, teeth, and gums. Make sure to read on to learn more.
It is advised by orthodontics that you:
- It is recommended that you brush your teeth after every meal. Keep in mind the 3:3 rule: exercise for three minutes three times daily. Brush your teeth with an angle that goes around each bracket and beneath the wire if you wear braces.
- Maintaining good oral health requires flossing daily, regardless of whether you are getting braces or not. If not every day, then at least every night and morning, flossing is a must.
- Two times a day, rinse your mouth out with a mouthwash. These products help eliminate bacteria that cause foul breath, gingivitis, and plaque. You should rinse your mouth twice a day: first thing in the morning and again after you eat.
- You can use any kind of xylitol gum or breath mints that have xylitol as the first ingredient on the label; any xylitol gum or mints will do.
In addition, consider the following:
- Maintaining clean aligners is essential. Use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste to clean your aligners gently twice a day. After each use, disinfect them with White Foam or any comparable solution. You should never use denture cleansers or immerse them in mouthwash.
- Keep your aligners in their case at all times; leaving them out on a plate or in a napkin increases the likelihood that they may be misplaced or discarded.
- Be cautious: Aligners can be damaged by things like pets, hot water, chlorine, and other household cleaners.
An integral part of your retainer’s job
After getting your braces or aligners taken out, your orthodontic treatment is far from over. After the active treatment phase ends, the retainer is essential for maintaining the new tooth position. You must ensure that you wear your retainer nightly in order to stop your teeth from moving.
Make sure to also:
- Take care of your retainer by checking that it is firmly in place before each use. Before delicately removing it, loosen it in multiple spots.
- Remember to clean your retainer daily by gently scrubbing it with a gentle toothbrush and water. A cleaning tablet and a cup of warm (not hot) water can be used for a more thorough cleaning.
- Be careful not to leave your retainer in a napkin or any other easily misplaced item. Instead, keep it in a secure location. Keep pets away from retainers because they are heat-sensitive as well.
- Remember to replace your retainer as needed. Over time, even the highest quality retainers will wear out.
