Sometimes taking care of your teeth can feel like a bit of a chore, but it’s important to remember that it’s all worth it in the end. When you have braces, you might be asking yourself questions like how to floss with braces or you may be worrying about choosing the best toothbrush for braces. Can you use an electric toothbrush with braces? How do you brush your teeth when you have braces? Above all, you’re probably wondering about what kind of toothbrush for braces really works best. The good news is that you can find answers to these questions. If you want to know more, all you have to do is keep reading.
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How to Floss With Braces
Can you floss with braces? Flossing is one of those things that some people do religiously. Others have a tendency to skip it. Even if you’ve always been good about such things, you may not be thrilled about the idea of flossing with braces. That said, it’s actually more important than ever that you keep flossing regularly. As far as the technique is concerned, you will floss as you did before you had braces, with one major exception. Be careful not to pull or tug on the hardware while you floss.
How Many Times Should I Floss With Braces?
If you can manage to find time to floss twice a day, it’s a good idea to do so. If you’re like the majority of people and time is always a factor, you can do it at the end of the day. However, it’s imperative that you take extra care to make sure that food isn’t getting caught under your braces throughout the day. Some people even decide to floss after each meal. If you’re wondering how to keep your teeth clean with braces, this is one of the best ways to do it.
How to Brush Your Teeth With Braces
How do you brush your teeth when you have braces? Is it as simple as brushing in the same manner you always have? The truth is, cleaning teeth with braces takes a little extra time. If you’re like most patients, you want to know how to brush your teeth when you first get braces. You might have even had someone show you how to wash your teeth with braces. Fortunately, there are some tips for brushing teeth with braces that you can follow. First and foremost, choose the right toothbrush for braces. More will be discussed about that in the next paragraph. You also want to choose the right kind of toothpaste and use a specific, circular technique when you are brushing. We at Voss Dental can help you determine exactly which products you should be using and how to get the best results.
What Kind of Toothbrush for Braces Should You Use?
Can you use an electric toothbrush with braces? Some of our new patients worry about the use of an electric toothbrush and braces. In reality, it comes down to the exact type of electric toothbrush you are using. Some high quality electric toothbrushes can be used with braces. However, you should guard against using those that cause excessive vibration, as they can interfere with the braces themselves. In a worst-case scenario, they may even become entangled with the hardware. For these reasons, it may be best to choose a manual toothbrush.
How to Take Care of Your Gums With Braces
Having healthy gums is just as important as having healthy teeth. In fact, gum disease is quite common. Furthermore, it can lead to all kinds of complications where your oral health is concerned. Fortunately, it all comes down to using solid, basic techniques. Make sure you brush your teeth consistently. While brushing, ensure that you aren’t missing any spots. Make it a point to get under the braces as well. This effort will help keep your gums healthy.
How Often Should You Visit Your Dentist When You Have Braces?
This will be different for everyone, as we tailor our appointment schedules to the individual needs of each patient. Generally speaking, you’ll be asked to come back for regular check-ups approximately every three months. You may be required to come more frequently when you first get braces, as it’s important to ensure they fit well and are doing their job properly.
Adult vs. Child Care for Braces
For children, braces are usually changed more frequently. This is typically accomplished by having your child come in for check-ups more frequently so the braces can be adjusted. By the same token, it’s often necessary to incorporate additional bands or other types of hardware in order to apply a greater amount of pressure to a very specific portion of the teeth. As your child grows, the braces will be changed and different types of hardware may be incorporated in order to achieve the desired result. Therefore, more visits are typically required. In addition, parents have to consider things such as using permanent vs. removable retainers. There are benefits to using the removable variation for many children. However, retainers that can be removed often get misplaced. This is another factor to consider and we would be more than happy to help walk you through the process.
In adults, the situation is quite different. For starters, it isn’t typically necessary to include bands or external hardware in order to straighten the teeth. In fact, many adults are able to accomplish this by using invisible aligners that are designed to be worn at night while sleeping. When considering such products, it’s important to remember the pros and cons of Invisalign liners, as this is one of the most popular products for adults. Clearly, one of the biggest benefits of using this type of product is that it is basically invisible, as the name implies. As such, adults can wear them without drawing attention to themselves unnecessarily. However, they may not work in all situations. It’s also important to consider the average cost of braces in comparison to the cost of Invisalign products.
Helpful Tips
Being told that you need braces may not be what you want to hear, whether you’re a child or an adult. That said, learning to use the right toothbrush and the right oral care products can go a long way toward making the process easier. The same is true of learning the correct techniques for using these products. If you’re using bands with traditional braces, it’s important to remember to remove them before you eat and replace them immediately after cleaning your teeth once your meal is finished. On the other hand, people using Invisalign liners should remember to remove them in their entirety before eating. After the fact, it’s important to clean your teeth and replace the liners unless you are using products that are designed to be used only while you’re sleeping. Since different products require different techniques in order to get the best results, it’s really best to allow us to help you decide which products you should use and how best to use them. Of course, you should never hesitate to call us if you have any specific questions regarding your care. We’ll be more than happy to help you along the way. It doesn’t matter if you have a general question about caring for your teeth or something more challenging, we can get you the answers you need when you need them.
Where to Get Braces in Houston Texas
Of course, the first thing you have to do is choose the right dentist. In Houston, Texas and the surrounding area, we at Voss Dental are committed to ensuring that you get the best care concerning your braces and your overall oral health. Regardless of the type of braces you end up using, we are here to help make sure that the process is as streamlined as possible. We will work directly with you or your child in order to ensure that you have a positive experience and that your braces are accomplishing the goals that you want to accomplish. Remember, every patient is different. Since braces are used to correct malocclusion of the teeth, no two cases will be exactly alike. That said, we would love to have the opportunity to tailor a care plan for you or your child in order to help straighten your teeth and ensure your continued good oral health for years to come.