On 20th March, the world will be celebrating World Oral Health Day 2020, which is officially the largest global awareness campaign for oral hygiene and health. On this day, FDI World Dental Federation, the body behind the campaign, will spread messages about good oral hygiene practices for both adults and children, and demonstrate the importance of oral health.
It’s a well-known fact that good oral health is incredibly important for everybody, regardless of age and dental situation. While the majority of people have a good understanding of oral hygiene, there are still a large number of people who discard the potential implications that poor oral health can have on your mouth, and this can be significantly harmful, especially if you have braces.
In this blog, we will detail the importance of taking care of your teeth and gums during orthodontic treatment, the problems that poor oral health can cause and what you should be doing to make sure your brace is kept clean. With that in mind, if you want to maintain a clean and healthy smile, please read on.
The Importance of Good Oral Health
Whether you have train track braces or Invisalign aligners, you must regularly clean both your teeth and your orthodontic appliance, as this will reduce the risk of potential dental problems. As such appliances have tiny spaces that attract food and plaque, it could be argued that people with braces are at higher risk of facing oral health issues, like decay and gum disease. From an aesthetic point of view, a build-up of plaque can also lead to discolouration and staining, which could crush your hopes of a bright white smile.
It's also important to note that neglecting your oral health can force you to spend more time in braces and failing to clean your braces could lead them to become damaged.
Cleaning Your Teeth & Braces
Naturally, for the reasons mentioned above, taking care of your teeth becomes much more difficult once you get braces. However, this shouldn’t be an excuse for poor oral hygiene. Since pieces of food can get trapped in your brace, you must brush your teeth and rinse with mouthwash after every meal. Not only will this remove the food, but it will also improve the overall health of your teeth and gums.
In addition to this, you should also aim to floss at least once a day and make regular visits to your orthodontist, who will advise you on how to make cleaning easier and more effective. Learning the basis of oral health and brace care will help you to understand your orthodontist’s recommendations more clearly, which in turn will help you to keep your teeth and gums healthy while wearing braces.
Book a Consultation With Dulwich Orthodontics
If you live in London and are interested in having an orthodontic treatment, you should get in touch with Dulwich Orthodontics, who can provide expert advice on which braces and appliances are right for you.
To arrange a consultation at our South London practice, please contact our friendly team on 020 8256 9797.