I am someone who can speak first hand to the importance
of good oral hygiene. When I was in my thirties, I was subjected to having braces put on to correct an irregularity with
my upper teeth. Imagine my frustration, embarrassment and overall disbelief that someone my age was in need of braces.
Was I guilty of neglecting my teeth? Did I do something to make
this happen or was it just simple genetics? I searched for answers, and came up with none...
So, after much inner strife, I decided to take the "case of the brace"
head on. I was going to use the following 2 years as an opportunity to make sure I had the most perfect smile once the braces
were removed. Much to my surprise, I began to notice more and more adults my age who were also sporting braces.
- Proper rinsing techniques are important to ensure the removal of all loose food particles.
- Using an interproximal brush (tree brush)
is great for getting behind the archwire to aid in getting rid of the hard to get at food. Taking care not to damage any
of the wires is also equally important.
- For
those of you with the means, purchasing a water flosser for added assurance that food is gone from around the brackets. Not
to mention, it feels soothing on the gums.
- Regular
flossing between teeth aids in promoting healthy gums. Take your time to get at all the hard to reach areas.
- Many power brush models have specially designed
electric heads, which help to remove plaque from the tiny, hard to reach areas surrounding the braces.
- And finally, the final rinse of your mouth.
Now that you have cleaned your teeth, you must then make sure your mouth is fresh and toothpaste free. All of this is preventative
medicine for your teeth and gums and will benefit your overall oral hygiene.
Dentists, Orthodontists and Researchers have all concluded that taking care of your mouth helps to
prevent various life-threatening diseases like aspiration pneumonia, gum disease and even heart disease.
So, do your mouth a favour and practice good oral hygiene, with
or without the braces. In my case, being proactive while wearing my braces has taught me more than a few lessons and all
these years later I still have an amazingly white smile.
"Are your kids about to get braces? Check out www.PaintYourSmile.com which allows them to see what they're going to look
like with braces."
