Happy New Year from your Vancouver orthodontist! It seems that everyone is making their health a priority for this year. This is a fantastic opportunity to re-establish your oral healthcare routine. Many times, our orthodontist Vancouver will notice that new patients aren’t brushing their teeth well enough while they get used to their new braces. It’s common to relearn how to do things when you get new braces. A little awareness can make a huge difference in the outcome. Here are a few guidelines to ensure that you’re brushing your teeth and braces properly this new year:
Two Minutes
Our orthodontist Vancouver and the ADA encourage brushing your teeth for at least two minutes per session. If you break this down into sections, that’s only 30 seconds per quadrant of your mouth. If this sounds like a chore, consider listening to your favorite song every time you brush your teeth. There are also apps that can help you time yourself. Most electric toothbrushes have timers built right in, so hitting that 2-minute mark is a piece of cake.
At Least Twice and Between Meals
Speaking of cake, we encourage you to add a brushing session between meals or after especially sticky treats or drinks as well to get all the unwanted particles out from your wires and brackets. Before you had your braces, twice a day may have been enough. We encourage you to carry a toothbrush with you to keep your smile clean and debris-free between meals. Flossers are a great tool to use between meals also if you can’t brush for several hours.
In Circles
You want to brush your teeth and braces in a small circular pattern, rather than side to side or up and down. Think of brushing your teeth like the face of a clock. Be gentle around the hardware in the center, but get under the nooks and crannies. By brushing in small circles, you’ll remove unwanted food particles from underneath the wires and brackets without pushing your new braces off. Be gentle to prevent the hard parts of your toothbrush from brushing up against the brackets or wires.
With A Clean Toothbrush
Now is the perfect time to replace your old toothbrush with a new one. Toothbrushes should be replaced every three months, as the bristles naturally wear down over time, making them less able to reach the nooks and crannies under your wires. Make sure to store it properly to prevent against germs. Old toothbrushes are great at harboring bacteria. If you don’t have a travel toothbrush yet, consider picking one of those up too!
Be Diligent
Lazy teeth brushers invite cavities into their mouths. With braces Vancouver, it’s even more important to be diligent about brushing for at least two sessions per day. There are so many more places for unwanted food particles to hide once you get braces. It’s important to keep your teeth clear of food and sugary substances. You wouldn’t want to delay your orthodontic work to care for cavities, would you?
Brushing your teeth and braces properly this new year will make a huge difference in how well you will help your smile. That’s our goal: your perfect smile. If you want more excuses to smile, stop by our Facebook, as we frequently post tips on our page. See you there until your next appointment to tighten your braces Vancouver!