Good oral health is just as important after your braces have been removed as during treatment, if not more so. Taking care of your teeth after braces is not only key to the success of your treatment but can also help prevent other dental issues in the future. If you are waiting for your braces to be removed or are considering teeth straightening treatment and just want to know what kind of investment you’ll need to make in terms of time, care and attention, here we share some guidance on caring for your teeth after braces.
Do you have teeth that need braces?
If you’re not currently undergoing braces treatment but are wondering if it’s in your future, there are a few warning signs to look out for:
- Teeth are overcrowded and it seems like you have too many to fit your mouth
- Gaps between the teeth
- Difficulty chewing or speaking
- Overlapping, crooked or wonky teeth
- Teeth that don’t close properly when your mouth is resting
- Frequently biting your tongue
- Difficulty flossing between teeth
Just because you have these signs, does not mean you will need braces and even if you do there are so many innovative solutions these days, such as Invisalign clear aligners, that treatment can be virtually invisible. It’s best to speak with your dentist to find out whether you need braces and what options are suitable for you.
Oral care when wearing teeth braces
Once you have teeth braces, it’s very important to take good care of your teeth and gums in order for the treatment to be successful and not held back by other dental issues.
If you wear a fixed brace you will need to make sure that you clean gently but thoroughly around the brackets and wires, using interdental brushes where necessary to clean those hard to reach spaces.
If you wear a removable brace or aligner, such as Invisalign, then you can simply remove it to clean your teeth and gums as you would normally and also to clean the appliance, so that you are not returning debris and acid back to your clean teeth.
How to take care of your teeth after braces
After your braces have been removed you will probably sigh with relief at no longer having to go through the oral health routine of cleaning in and around the braces, but the hard work isn’t over just yet.
Lapsing into a poor oral health routine at this stage can jeopardise the great work your braces have done and also cause you dental issues in the future. To prevent this and to enable you to show off your new, straighter smile with confidence you can follow these tips for caring for your teeth after braces:
- Have your teeth professionally cleaned – we recommend this after you have had your braces removed, as it allows the hygienist to give your teeth a thorough clean and polish to remove stubborn plaque and stains. You may also choose to get your teeth whitened at this stage, to help show off your new smile.
- Wear your retainer – the treatment isn’t finished when your braces are removed as you’ll still need to wear your retainer as advised by your dentist. This helps to ensure that your teeth don’t move back into their original positions, which they naturally want to do in the first few weeks and sometimes months after treatment ends.
- Keep your retainer clean – if you are doing such a great job of keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy, the last thing you want to do is put a dirty, bacteria filled retainer back into your clean mouth. Make sure you clean it regularly, as advised by your dentist and store it in the case provided when not in use.
- Maintain a fantastic oral health routine – this includes:
- Brushing twice a day
- Using floss or interdental brushes once daily to remove plaque and debris
- Limiting sugary snacks
Caring for your teeth after braces is pretty similar to looking after your smile at any other time and when you think about it, the reason you got braces in the first place was to improve your smile so why ruin it by not caring for your teeth properly afterwards?
For more information on braces care or to enquire about teeth braces treatments in London search for Riverside Dental Spa.
