If you recently started your Six Month Smiles treatment, you’re probably wondering how you can take proper care of your teeth during this time. Yes, brushing, flossing, and rinsing are key, but trying to maneuver around brackets and wires can be tricky. Fortunately, your dentist will provide you with clear instructions and helpful tips to help you safeguard your smile. Here are 4 ways you can continue to improve your oral health while your teeth move into perfect alignment.
Proper Cleaning
It is necessary to clean your teeth for two full minutes to ensure all bad bacteria are removed from your mouth. Aggressive brushing is not necessary and is, in fact, highly discouraged, as you might accidentally damage your metal brackets and wires. Using fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen tooth enamel and combat decay is essential and paying special attention to your gum line will only help to remove any plaque and tartar that may be forming in this area. If you need help to get between your teeth while brushing, you can always use an interdental brush that makes the cleaning process much easier.
Eating Healthy Foods
While wearing Six Month Smiles, make sure you are incorporating healthy foods into your daily diet. This means limiting your access to sugary or starchy foods that are more likely to cause tooth decay and cavities. Instead, you’ll need to eat more fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, calcium and Vitamin C-rich foods, and lean proteins. It is also helpful to stay away from hard, sticky foods, as they can damage your orthodontic appliances (i.e., nuts, hard bread, chewing gum, candy).
Continuing to See Your Dentist
While undergoing orthodontic treatment, it is essential that you continue to maintain your regular dental checkups and cleanings. Naturally, you will have follow-up appointments to ensure that your braces are shifting your teeth accordingly, but you should also make sure your teeth and gums are healthy and free of any potential decay and gum disease. These common oral health problems can negatively impact not only your oral health but also the timeline for effective treatment with Six Month Smiles.
Using Mouthwash
You might think a quick rinse with an ADA-approved mouthwash will be enough to thoroughly cleanse your mouth of any harmful particles but unfortunately, that is not true at all. Brushing and flossing are essential but conducting a final rinse can help to remove anything left behind. Because there are many nooks and crannies in your smile, especially when it comes to wearing braces, mouthwash can be an effective step in ensuring your teeth and gums as well as your braces and clean and refreshed.
As long as you commit to the process, you should expect to see a new and improved smile in just six months! By keeping your oral health in optimal shape during this time, you’ll complete your orthodontic treatment with a straighter, healthier, and more beautiful smile.
About the Author
Dr. Matthew Diercks has been helping patients living in Los Gatos and the surrounding area for more than 20 years! A graduate of the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco, he and Dr. Karamardian work together to provide exceptional dental care to patients in need. When an individual arrives with a desire to straighten their smile, Invisalign or Six Month Smiles are often considered welcomed alternatives to traditional metal braces. If you are looking to realign your teeth and embrace a healthier smile, visit our website or call (408) 402-0900.