Your teeth and braces require daily care and cleaning. If you develop cavities it could increase the amount of time you need to wear braces. Dr. Ben McDowell understands that the braces hardware can create some hard to reach or hard to clean areas on your teeth. To help you effectively clean these spots he recommends a few special oral hygiene tools.
If you’re having issues flossing between teeth and around the gum line, you might want to try a floss threader with waxed dental floss. This is a simple loop shaped tool can help work floss around wires and other braces hardware. Using waxed dental floss makes it easier to slide the strand into tight places.
Interdental brushes have small angled brush heads can help brush between wires and brackets as well as removing food particles from the contours near the gum line. They are particularly handy for getting small food particles out bands and spacers.
Dental water jets and oral irrigators produce a concentrated stream of water that can help loosen and wash away food particles from hard to reach places. Just keep in mind that it cannot replace flossing for effectively cleaning between teeth and in the gum line.
If you have questions about tools and techniques to help clean and maintain your braces, please feel free to call Dr. Ben McDowell’s office in Payson, Arizona at 928-472-7223 to ask a question.
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