Maintaining A Good Oral Health

 Maintaining a good oral health care regimen is essential during orthodontics treatment to ensure that once your braces come off, or other treatment is completed, the hard work it took to achieve a straight smile wasn't all for naught. But brushing and flossing regularly isn't just to keep your smile bright and shiny. It might just save your life one day.

Healthy Teeth

Failing to properly brush and floss during treatment can damage a patient's teeth. Food particles and sugars from drinks can get stuck in the nooks and crannies of braces, for instance, and stain or otherwise harm teeth. But poor dental health doesn't just affect your smile, it can affect the rest of your body. Diabetes and heart disease are linked to oral health.

Patients are recommended to brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste. Patients who wear braces, should take extra care when brushing. Soft-bristled brushes are best for the mouth. Electric or battery-operated brushes can remove more plaque than standard brushing will. Patients should be sure to brush all surfaces of the teeth, not just those people see.

Toothbrushes should always be rinsed before and after each use and stored upright. Toothbrushes should never be covered or touch another toothbrush to prevent bacteria. Toothbrushes should be replaced every three months.

Flossing should occur each time you brush, as well. Effective flossing will remove plaque buildup from between the teeth and under the gums. If left alone, this plaque buildup can lead to gum disease.

Periodontitis is an oral disease that occurs when plaque builds up, spreading below the gumline. The toxins of the plaque irritate the gums, leading to irritation and inflammation. That can then lead to the tissue and bones that support the teeth breaking down, and eventually becoming destroyed. Small pockets of infection can grow in the mouth and the teeth will eventually become loose and need to be removed. The symptoms of periodontitis are mild, but they have very lasting effects.

That's why it is important that patients maintain all regular appointments with their dentists. Schedule checkups every six months and call your dentist at any sign of trouble. Warning signs include red or swollen gums, gums that bleed when you brush, loose permanent teeth, tooth sensitivity and persistent bad breath.

Other tips to remember, especially for patients who wear braces, include avoiding unnecessary snacking and don't drink sugary beverages. Any time food or drink comes into contact with teeth, there are more opportunities for problems to occur. Sugars and acids can wreak havoc on your mouth, eventually leading to tooth decay. And when patients are wearing braces, those sugars and acids can settle into the nooks and crannies created.

By following a few simple tips, patients can maintain their beautiful and radiant smiles they've worked hard to achieve, and avoid serious diseases such as diabetes and heart disease at the same time.