Through the course of multiple orthodontic adjustment sessions at Schouten Orthodontics, your teeth will gradually be repositioned. This can give you a better-functioning mouth, can prevent problems with dental attrition, and can leave you with a more appealing smile.
Any oral hygiene problems will increase your chances of suffering significant complications from tooth decay. This could increase the number of adjustments needed to achieve your final smile.
To prevent cavity issues, you will need to brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and abrasive toothpaste. Flossing each night to remove residual food particles and plaque from between your teeth is also very important. Make sure to floss beneath the wires and along the gumline as well as behind your last molar.
If you’ve struggled to keep one area clean, you might want to try using small interdental brushes. If wires or other hardware are making it hard to floss down into the gumline, you might want to try using a special floss threader loaded with waxed dental floss.
Avoiding sticky foods and gum would also be wise. These things can easily bend wires, loosen brackets, or pull a spacer out. Your braces hardware can also be damaged and bent by eating hard and crunchy foods. This also extends to bad habits like chewing on hard objects, pencils, and pens.
If you are struggling to keep your teeth and braces clean in Springville, Utah, you can always call 801.491.9372 to seek further advice from Dr. John R. Schouten or a member of our staff.
