April 10, 2004

By: Renee Villebrun
Website: http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com

Teeth With Braces – Tips For Teeth With Braces

All that glitters is not gold. For more than five million people in the United States and Canada, what glitters may be their braces. More people than ever are being treated by orthodontists who are members of the American Association of Orthodontists.

Patients wearing braces need to pay special attention to keeping braces, teeth and gums clean during orthodontic treatment. When braces are placed on patients, orthodontists instruct them in maintaining good oral hygiene. By following their orthodontist’s guidance on dental hygiene and avoiding certain foods while wearing braces, patients will be on track to a lifetime of healthy teeth and a beautiful smile, says Dr. James J. Caveney, president of the AAO.

Why All the Fuss? Plaque is the Problem Plaque is the reason that orthodontists insist their patients be vigilant about dental hygiene. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that continually collects on teeth. It is composed of bacteria, food and saliva.

If plaque is left on teeth and around braces, patients may develop swollen gums, bad breath, scarred and discolored teeth, and even cavities—certainly not the optimal dental health that orthodontists are working to help patients achieve. When plaque is removed regularly during orthodontic treatment, patients are rewarded with the best possible results in the shortest time possible.

Hygiene Helpers Orthodontic patients have an arsenal of tools at the ready to help them remove plaque. They include:

• * Toothbrush (manual, travel and power varieties)
• * Fluoride toothpaste
• * Dental floss
• * Interproximal brush
• * Fluoride rinse

Orthodontists recommend that patients clean their teeth at least four times a day (after each meal and before bed). Patients should use a soft, rounded-bristle manual or power toothbrush in good condition and a fluoride toothpaste, and follow their orthodontist’s directions on how to brush.

A travel toothbrush is a great way to make brushing more convenient when away from home. But if no toothbrush is available after a meal out, patients should at least rinse the mouth thoroughly to clear most large food particles. Toothbrushes should be replaced at the first sign of wear because a worn-out toothbrush does not do an effective cleaning job.

But brushing alone does not remove all of the plaque. So orthodontists advise patients to floss at least once every day between teeth, around brackets and at the gumline. Reusable floss threaders help patients maneuver dental floss between archwires and teeth. Pre-cut floss with ready-made threader tips are also on the market.

To floss, cut off about 18 inches of floss, loop it through the threader, and run the threader between the archwire and two brackets. Holding one end of the floss, gently pull the threader off.

Loop the ends of the floss around the index fingers, forming a C, and gently floss between two teeth, at the gumline and around the bracket. When finished, pull the floss through, re-thread the floss, and repeat the process until all teeth, gumlines and brackets have been flossed.

While the process may appear daunting, it gets easier with practice.

Another tool orthodontic patients find handy is an interproximal brush. This tiny brush, which can be cone-shaped, is designed to slip under the archwire. It helps to remove plaque and food particles around brackets and between teeth. Because the brush fits in tiny, hard-to-reach spots, it can help with home application of fluoride.

Orthodontists may recommend that patients use an over-the-counter or prescription fluoride rinse to help strengthen teeth and prevent cavities. Dipping an interproximal brush into the liquid rinse and then cleaning around brackets and between teeth may help deliver maximum fluoride protection.

And while patients are working at keeping braces, teeth and gums clean during orthodontic treatment, orthodontists caution them to avoid some potential braces-busting foods. Those foods include anything that is hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy—like taco chips, caramels, hard pretzels, taffy, unpopped popcorn kernels, peanuts—even sugarless bubblegum. Fresh vegetables such as carrots and celery are OK provided they are cut up in small pieces rather than bitten. And ice should never be chewed. It’s much too hard on teeth—even without braces!

A good diet is important to successful orthodontic treatment. A balanced diet provides nutrients that are essential to bones and tissues undergoing change during orthodontic treatment.

One more thing—orthodontic patients need professional cleanings at the dentist’s office at least every six months to keep teeth and gums in top condition during orthodontic treatment. Even with diligent attention to daily dental hygiene, patients cannot remove all of the plaque, but professional cleanings can.

So brush frequently, floss daily, use interproximal brushes or other recommended tools to remove plaque and food particles, eat right and see the dentist at least every six months. Orthodontic patients who follow these tips will be rewarded with a healthy, beautiful smile.

Author Notes:

Renee Villebrun contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com.  Everything you need to know to get a whiter, brighter smile!