Friday 9 January 2015

Wearing Braces and the Importance of Good Oral Hygiene


Oral hygiene is an issue all around the world not just here in Ottawa. More specifically for people who wear braces. First keeping your teeth clean is not about having pretty teeth, it is a measure against the growth of bacteria that causes tartar, gingivitis, and the erosion of the tooth enamel or demineralisation, as it were.

If you are a person that is wearing braces, you should speak with your Ottawa Orthodontist about what makes a good oral hygiene regimen. The major drawback of wearing braces is the cause a higher susceptibility to tartar buildup and gum irritation or gingivitis. Any one of these conditions mentioned, amplifies when braces enter the picture and proper care becomes neglected.

Keep in mind that wearing braces has a direct effect on dental care and if poor oral hygiene habits go unhindered, and problems that are more serious can manifest in addition to prolonging the time for wearing the braces. Understandably, oral hygiene is difficult enough without having to wear braces nevertheless, when a person does have them it is even more important to have a higher diligence when it comes to cleaning their teeth. 

When visiting your Ottawa dentist, be sure to ask them what methods and types of toothbrushes, and toothpaste they might recommend. The patients age will determine the answer to these and any other questions that come up. Certain power brushes such as the Oral-B model designed specifically for cleaning around braces and a dental floss made tough enough not to break when flossing around a set of braces.

In addition, there are many types of toothpaste that aid in cleaning. None of this will do the job by themselves however. While the tools are there it takes motivation and consistency in practicing good oral hygiene to keep teeth clean with or without braces.

Understanding that taking good care of your teeth while wearing braces is essential to keeping a healthy mouth. This helps with avoiding any major issue such as cavities, gingivitis, or loss of tooth enamel. If you can keep your teeth clean while you have braces, you can only imagine how great your smile will look once they come off. Talk to your Ottawa Orthodontist today.

Thinking about getting a better smile? Consult Ottawa dentists and orthodontists Wellington Village Orthodontics or Trillium Dental