Orthodontic treatments with braces or Invisalign can significantly improve the appearance of your smile and your oral health in the long run. However, if you do not establish an effective dental care routine, you risk developing cavities and gum disease. In this article, we discuss how to avoid cavities during orthodontic treatment.

How to Avoid Cavities During an Orthodontic Treatment

The risk of cavities increases during orthodontic treatment because appliances can trap food debris, saliva, plaque, and bacteria if your oral hygiene is not effective enough. Over time, bacteria and the acid that they produce weaken the enamel of your teeth and cause cavities. To avoid cavities during orthodontic treatment, ensure your oral hygiene is sufficient and that your diet does not promote bacterial growth.

Let us look at the most essential tips for effective oral hygiene when undergoing orthodontic treatment in more detail.

Floss Correctly

You should floss your teeth before brushing every evening. If you are wearing removable orthodontic appliances, such as Invisalign, you can floss your teeth without any additional difficulties. Use a waxed flossing thread to move it up and down between the teeth, cleaning each tooth on both sides and removing food debris. However, be gentle and do not push the floss too far into the gums to avoid bleeding.

If you are wearing braces, flossing might be slightly more challenging because of the wires running along your teeth. We recommend threading the floss under the wire to reach the top of the teeth, then removing the plaque with regular flossing motions.

Additionally, you can use specially designed floss threaders or interdental brushes to streamline the process. Adding a water flosser to your routine can also streamline the process, as this device helps loosen the plaque and food residue with a stream of pressurized water. However, remember that a water flosser should be used as an additional step before flossing and brushing with traditional tools.

Brush Your Teeth Thoroughly

Regardless of what type of orthodontic appliances you are wearing, you should brush your teeth twice a day for two full minutes. We recommend choosing a fluoride toothpaste, which strengthens enamel, and a soft or medium toothbrush that is effective at removing plaque without irritating the gums.

When brushing, pay special attention to hard-to-reach areas and clean well along the gum line with small circular motions. If you are wearing braces, be sure to clean above, below, and on the brackets at a 45-degree angle.

When wearing any orthodontic appliance, you should always brush your teeth after every meal in addition to brushing in the evening and every morning.

Clean Removable Appliances Correctly

If you are wearing Invisalign, your aligners have to be cleaned just as thoroughly as your natural teeth. We recommend following these tips:

Rinse your aligners well with lukewarm water every time you take them out (for example, for meals) and before putting them back in your mouth.
Clean your aligners twice a day with unscented soap and a soft-bristle toothbrush.
Soak your aligners in a special cleaning solution designed for clear orthodontic appliances for 15 to 30 minutes before brushing them in the evening.

This way, you will ensure that your aligners do not have a film of plaque and saliva and maintain their original appearance.

Get an Orthodontic Treatment at Samaritan Dental

If you are considering an orthodontic treatment with Invisalign or braces, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced dentist at Samaritan Dental. We are looking forward to your visit.