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Optimizing Oral Care During Orthodontic Treatment: Tips & Tricks

Home » Optimizing Oral Care During Orthodontic Treatment: Tips & Tricks

  • Farina Orthodontic Specialists
  • September 24, 2024

Orthodontic treatment is an exciting journey toward a healthier, straighter smile, but maintaining excellent oral hygiene during this time is essential. Whether you have braces or aligners, keeping your teeth and gums clean is key to achieving the best results. At Farina Orthodontics, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you optimize your oral care throughout your orthodontic treatment.

1. Brush & Floss Regularly

When wearing braces, it’s important to brush after every meal and snack. Food particles can get trapped around brackets and wires, increasing the risk of plaque buildup, tooth decay, and gum disease. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to thoroughly clean each tooth surface, especially around the brackets.

For patients with clear aligners, the same rule applies: brush after meals to prevent staining and buildup on your aligners. Don’t forget to clean the aligners themselves daily using a soft brush and clear, antibacterial soap.

Pro Tip: Use an interdental toothbrush or orthodontic toothbrush for better access around braces.

2. Flossing with Braces

Flossing might seem tricky with braces, but it’s crucial for maintaining healthy gums. Use a floss threader or orthodontic floss to navigate around the wires, or consider investing in a water flosser for ease and efficiency. Aim to floss at least once a day, but twice is even better!

For those with aligners, remove them before flossing, and be sure to floss after every meal to prevent food particles from lingering between teeth.

3. Rinse with Mouthwash

Using an antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash can help rinse away any remaining particles and bacteria that brushing and flossing might miss. It also helps keep your breath fresh and prevents plaque buildup.

Pro Tip: Rinse with mouthwash before bedtime to ensure your teeth are protected while you sleep.

4. Avoid Hard & Sticky Foods

During orthodontic treatment, especially with braces, it’s important to avoid foods that can damage your orthodontic appliances. Hard foods like nuts, popcorn, or ice can break brackets, while sticky foods like caramel or gum can get stuck in the wires.

If you’re wearing clear aligners, it’s best to remove them when eating to avoid damaging them and be mindful of foods that can stain your aligners, like coffee or red wine.

5. Stay on Top of Your Dental Visits

In addition to your regular orthodontic checkups at Farina Orthodontics, don’t skip your routine dental visits for cleanings and exams. Your dentist will ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment.

6. Use Orthodontic Wax for Comfort

If your braces are causing discomfort due to wires or brackets rubbing against your cheeks, orthodontic wax can provide relief. Simply roll a small amount of wax between your fingers and place it over the problem area.

7. Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water helps keep your mouth clean and prevents dry mouth, which can increase the risk of cavities. Water also helps wash away food particles and bacteria, keeping your teeth and appliances clean between meals.

8. Don’t Forget Your Aligners

If you’re undergoing treatment with clear aligners, keeping track of wear time is key. Most patients need to wear their aligners for 20-22 hours a day. Don’t forget to clean your aligners daily with soap and water, and store them in their case when not in use.

At Farina Orthodontics, we want your journey to a straighter smile to be as smooth as possible. By following these oral care tips, you’ll protect your teeth, gums, and appliances, ensuring beautiful, healthy results. For more personalized advice or to schedule your next appointment, contact our team today!

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What Our Patients Are Saying

jessica P.
Dr Farina did my braces as well as my sons and every appointment has been amazing! Highly recommend!
Jonathan B.
I’ve been going here for my whole life. Great place with great people. Dr Farina is a kind and caring guy. Amazing experience
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback, Jonathan - it has been our pleasure!
Delores K.
I am so very Happy with my Invisalign results!! Dr Farina and his team have been absolutely amazing!! They have been there for me every step of the way. Dr Farina and his team are at the top of their game and I highly recommend them to anyone seeking a better smile😃
Response from the owner:We've loved having you as part of the Farina family, Delores, and are so pleased that you love your new smile! Thank you for the fantastic feedback.
Penny H.
Love-love this place! From the front office to the exam room and the final finish with Dr.Davis was a blessing! Dr. Davis and the staff were amazing at all times with my daughter. She rocked her treatment with the Invisalign and finished today. We are so happy and pleased with the outcome! Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you for this glowing review, Penny! We appreciate your trust in our team and are so pleased that your daughter loves her new smile!
G D.
We had a great experience with Dr. Franco throughout my son’s orthodontic treatment. Caring and amazing staff, his treatment plan went as explained and his teeth turned out beautifully aligned.
Response from the owner:We couldn't be happier that you love your son's new smile! We will pass the feedback on to Dr. Franco and our team.
Eloá R.
My treatment was amazing and i couldn’t have chosen a better place. They are extreme understanding and seem to truly care about your treatment. Dr Davis was amazing
Response from the owner:We appreciate your wonderful feedback, Eloa!
Reggie D.
Dr Farina’s and his staff are the most competent, capable and caring team assembled. The facility is beautiful and state of the art. Dr Farina has served me and my entire family over a 25 year period. I highly recommend Dr Farina’s!
Response from the owner:Reggie, your feedback is priceless! Thank you for trusting our team with your family's smiles through the years.
Angelica Melecio P.
Farina Orthodontics was excellent throughout my Invisalign and jaw surgery process. They were patient and did excellent work and I couldn’t recommend them more.
Response from the owner:We appreciate the great review, Angelica, and we are honored that you chose us to partner with you on your smile journey. Thank you for trusting us!
Nina F.
I 100% recommend this place. It took me a year and 5 months to see the result of my Invisalign treatment, with the best results ever, my smile looks gorgeous and aligned. Franco and his staff worked with me very closely, listening to all my needs, with great motivation to never give up, (which probably everyone wants), be consistent to get the gold is the key. I love it! Thank you for your excellent and professional work
Response from the owner:We're so glad you've had a fantastic experience with us, Nina! Congratulations on your new smile!
Farah F.
I’ve had a fantastic experience with Dr. Davis and the entire team at Farina Orthodontic Specialists. Everyone is friendly, professional, and truly dedicated to patient care. From my initial consultation to each follow-up visit, the process has been smooth, clearly explained, and personalized to fit my needs. The office is clean, modern, and welcoming, and appointments always run on time. I highly recommend Dr. Davis and the team to anyone looking for quality orthodontic care! -Farahbod (Farah)
Response from the owner:We appreciate your wonderful feedback, and we'll be sure Dr. Davis and our team knows how pleased you were throughout your treatment. Thank you for trusting us with your smile!
Marlene L.
Today was my last appointment wearing braces! Dr. Franco & his staff have been amazing! During my 22 months with braces I’ve never had any problems with them. I’m in love with my new smile, thank youu so much!
Response from the owner:We are thrilled that you've had a WOW experience with us, Marlene! Congratulations on your beautiful new smile.
Jennifer C.
We love Farina Orthodontics! We had Invisalign’s for my first daughter and regular braces for my second, both turned out Amazing!! Dr.Davis and Sabrina are the best!
Response from the owner:We are so pleased that you've had a great experience with both of your girls' treatment, Jennifer! Dr. Davis and Sabrina are wonderful and we will always work to create a treatment plan that works best for each patient.
Tim M.
Dr Farina and staff are amazing to work with!! Patient service and care is top notch. Highly recommend! Our girls now have beautiful smiles thanks to them:)
Response from the owner:We are so happy you and the girls love their smiles, Tim! Thank you for the fantastic feedback.
Jayda G.
It has been a journey, and it took longer then expected. However, we continued to trust the process and are super happy with the results. Farina Orthodontics and their staff have been wonderful at every visit and throughout the process. Highly recommend!!
Response from the owner:We love seeing your new smile, Jayda! Thank you for trusting us with your treatment - congratulations!
Joanna L.
Pedro, Dr. Farina and the whole staff is amazing. Not only did they take their time to make sure my smile came out exactly how I wanted, but they educated me along the way. I am super happy with how everything turned out. I would highly recommend them!
Response from the owner:We appreciate your wonderful feedback so much, Joanne! Thank you for allowing us to partner with you on your smile journey.

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