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How to Brush and Floss with Braces

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Brushing your teeth while wearing braces isn’t that much different than brushing without them. After all, you’ll still probably use a toothbrush and floss. However, making sure you do a good job is more important than ever. When you’re wearing braces, food particles and plaque have many more places to get trapped. If you don’t brush and floss properly, your enamel may stain and your teeth may decay around the brackets or bands.

flossing with braces

First, you need to carefully brush and rinse after every meal or snack with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Secondly, you definitely need to take the time to floss well between braces and under all of the wires. Finally, you need to visit the dentist regularly between orthodontic appointments to ensure that your gums and teeth remain healthy throughout the process.

If you’d still like more detailed tips, check out the simple and effective braces cleaning tips from Oral-B:

  1. Prepare to brush. Take off elastics, and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.
  2. Clean your braces. Use your brush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush from the top of each wire and then from the bottom. (Take time to ensure that all plaque and debris are removed, and that you work all the way around upper and lower teeth.)
  3. Brush your teeth. Clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Do this for about 10 seconds. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.
  4. Floss once a day with super floss, a type of floss for cleaning around appliances such as braces. Have your dental professional show you how to use this floss, or follow the instructions on the product package.
  5. Rinse and check your teeth. Rinse thoroughly with water or mouth rinse, and examine your teeth and braces in the mirror. They should sparkle, shine and feel clean.

Remember, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Carter!

 

Clear Aligners Created with Orchestrate 3D Printing Techniques

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Technology’s role in dentistry and orthodontics continues to grow at a rapid pace. With the huge advances in technology every year, it can be hard to keep up. A big topic of discussion lately has been 3D printing and we can definitely see why. The processes may be complicated, but it’s important to understand just how much these new machines can do. From creating simple designs to working human limbs, it seems like anything can be 3D printed much quicker and at a fraction of the cost.

What is 3D printing? Check out the video below to learn more.

A great option for orthodontic patients who want straight teeth more quickly than they ever thought possible is Orchestrate 3D Technology.

The O3D process helps orthodontists keep the entire process under their own roof. That means your journey to straight, healthy teeth is faster than ever before. With this in-house printing, your orthodontist can create clear aligners for you, limiting your wait time and speeding up the entire process.

Have any questions? Leave them below! If you’d like to make an appointment with Dr. Carter, we’d love to set up your free consultation today.

How to Get Rid of Bad Breath (When You Can’t Chew Gum)

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We’ve all been there. Out of no where, you realize your breath is a little less than fresh. Many people would just pop in a piece of gum, but what do you do to get rid of bad breath quickly when you have braces? Luckily, there are other options.

get rid of bad breath quickly

1. Reach for you toothbrush. This should always be your first course of action when possible. It is always a great idea to try to keep a travel sized toothbrush and toothpaste on hand, though, so you’ll be prepared to keep your teeth sparkling clean.

2. Drink a glass of water. When you can’t rush out and brush up, reach for a glass of water. When it’s been a while since you’ve had a drink, the bacteria in your mouth releases an unpleasant-smelling gas. You’re much less likely to have bad breath when you don’t allow your mouth to dry out.

3. Eat an apple. We’ve mentioned before that apples are natures toothbrushes because of their ability to clean your teeth, but they also do a great job freshening your breath. They contain oxidized polyphenols, which help to neutralize the odor produced by bacteria in your mouth. It’s a win, win.

4. Sip some hot tea. Tea definitely helps keep your mouth from drying out, but black and green tea also contain polyphenols that can prevent the growth of the bacteria that causes bad breath. Brew for your breath!

5. Nibble on parsley. One of the worst culprits when it comes to bad breath is garlic. The next time you chow down on a meal filled with it, check and see if the dish was garnished with parsley. If so, munch on some after dinner to fight the garlicky smell.

Prevent Tooth Decay While Wearing Braces

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If you are currently wearing braces, then you probably want to make sure your teeth are straight and healthy. To have both, you’ll need to put extra effort into preventing tooth decay while wearing your braces. When Dr. Carter removes your braces, you’ll be more likely to reveal white, beautiful teeth if you follow these simple steps.

flossing with braces

Use a Special Toothbrush

In addition to your regular toothbrush, you’ll also need to use an interdental toothbrush. Regular toothbrushes just can’t get to those hard-to-reach spots around your braces. An interdental toothbrush has bristles that are shaped like a Christmas tree. They can remove food residue in the braces and on the teeth much easier. Another great item to use is a WaterPik, which is able to get into even the toughest-to-clean spots.

Brush after Every Meal

The fact is that braces block food from naturally escaping your teeth after eating. It’s very important that you take the time to brush and floss after every meal. If food can’t sit around on your teeth, it can’t cause decay. We know it can be a pain to keep a toothbrush and floss handy at all times, but you’ll be glad you did!

Make Sure to Rinse

Even after all of that brushing and flossing, there can still be food left behind. Rinse with a fluoride mouthwash to finish the job. If you don’t have mouthwash with you, using water is better than using nothing at all!

Avoid Unnecessary Sweets

When it comes to tooth decay, being proactive is the best route. To help ward off decay, you need to limit the foods that cause it. If you can nix sugary foods from the start, you’ll spend less time trying to treat tooth-decay problems in the future. If you do eat them, make sure to brush and rinse immediately.

Visit Your Dentist, Too!

Regular dentist visits while you are wearing braces should occur at least every six months. Let us know if you have questions about your oral health while in braces – our team at Carter Orthodontics is here to make sure your teeth are as beautifully straight as they are healthy!

How to Have Healthier, Whiter Teeth

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You don’t always need to take drastic measures in order to have healthy, white teeth. Here are some simple tips to help you continue to flash those pearly whites:

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Start as early as possible. Children should be brushing, flossing, and heading to the dentist from a young age. Not only will you be keeping their teeth healthy and clean, but you will be creating habits that will last a lifetime.

Seal out trouble-making plaque. In some cases, sealants can be applied to molars to block out tooth-decaying plaque. Ask your dentist if this preventative treatment would be right for you.

Remember to brush and floss daily. Daily upkeep is one of the most important things when it comes to dental health. Brush twice a day (morning and night) and floss at least once a day. Clean your tongue while you’re at it!

Protect your teeth. If you play any impact sports, wear a mouthguard! When teeth are injured, they can’t function as they normally would. Protect them as much as possible, and you’ll reap the rewards.

Don’t smoke. This one seems like a no-brainer, but we thought we’d mention it just in case. Smoking is terribly unhealthy, but it can also stain your teeth. While you’re at it, skip other stain-inducing things like dark drinks and snacks.

Eat healthy foods. Sugar isn’t great for you, but it’s especially bad for your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth use simple sugars to create plaque. If you do eat sugary or carb-heavy foods, just remember to rinse your mouth with water as soon as possible.

Sip with a straw. Many drinks like juice and soda are acidic in nature, which means they are not the best match for your tooth enamel. Avoid prolonged contact with these drinks by using a straw. Ideally, you would also limit these drinks as much as possible.

Make regular appointments. Visit your dentist at regular intervals to make sure your teeth are in top shape all year round. If you have any spacing or bite-alignment issues, make sure you visit the orthodontist to have them checked out immediately. Healthy teeth create healthy, beautiful smiles.