Wearing braces can make it more difficult to effectively keep your teeth clean and free from plaque and food debris. Diligently brushing under the wire of your braces will remove bacteria and any food that may be stuck. You must pay special attention to keeping your teeth clean while wearing braces to avoid decalcification (loss of calcium due to plaque accumulation, appearing as white spots on teeth).
A dental floss threader and a special brush called a proxabrush can also be used to clean between the teeth and behind the archwire. Your orthodontist will provide you with all the information you need to properly care for your teeth whilst wearing braces, as well as give you some supplies you may need, such as orthodontic wax, floss threaders, and a proxabrush.
Following your doctor’s instructions on caring for your orthodontic appliance will help you keep your smile healthy.
For more information on how to maintain your oral hygiene, click here.