The road towards achieving a bedazzling smile often requires professional braces treatment and dental whitening in Singapore to achieve real improvement. Treating crooked teeth and malocclusions is generally the first step that orthodontists recommend, and those who are serious about perfecting their smile will have to put in the effort to make it happen. For starters, patients will have to be more attentive to their oral hygiene and clean every nook and cranny of their teeth. Naturally, this won’t be as simple as before given that they will have to navigate around the brackets and wires of their new dental appliance.
This added difficulty during orthodontic treatment also comes with the risk of gum disease caused by a buildup of excessive plaque in the gums, resulting in inflammation over time, as what occurs in gingivitis. This can sometimes be a painful condition, where the accumulation of plaque between the gum line and teeth causes the gums to become swollen and engorged with blood. If left unattended, it could lead to more severe periodontal problems. To ensure you never encounter these gum problems during your braces journey, take note of the following tips below.
1. Always be thorough when brushing
Proper and conscientious brushing goes a long way to keep gum inflammation at bay, and this involves cleaning your teeth right after every meal and before going to bed. Most importantly, take care not to rush the process and brush too hard. Otherwise, you will injure your gums, and every brushing session may end up with some light bleeding that can also result in painful ulcers. Beyond just cleaning around the dental brackets, also focus your efforts at the gum line – you will need more than light pressure to get rid of any plaque buildup that could harm your precious gums.
2. Floss regularly using floss threaders and interdental brushes
Flossing goes hand in hand with brushing as it effectively reaches the tighter spaces your toothbrush cannot get to. And while it may take longer to floss, it undoubtedly works wonders in preventing plaque buildup and gingivitis if done correctly and consistently. Two cleaning products that work best to stave off gum inflammation during braces treatment are floss threaders and interdental brushes. Floss threaders are specially designed to make it easier to get around the brackets and wires so you can floss your teeth easily right up to your gum. Interdental brushes are small enough to reach the tight corners between adjacent teeth, as well as between the brackets and teeth, to remove food debris that cannot be cleaned off by regular brushing.
3. Rinse your teeth
Rinsing your mouth may seem far too simple to prevent gum disease, but keep in mind that virtually all gum problems begin with accumulated plaque and food particles that get stuck on the teeth. Therefore, rinsing vigorously after meals can help loosen such debris around the wires and brackets, and it becomes even more useful when combined with proper teeth brushing and flossing techniques. Additionally, you can consult your orthodontist for their recommended mouthwashes and methods to eliminate any plaques that have long been gradually forming around your gum line.
4. Steer clear of sticky foods and sugary drinks
As you may already know, getting braces requires making a few sacrifices when it comes to your diet, and for good reason. This is because certain foods, particularly those that have a sticky texture, such as gummy candy and chewing gum, can be problematic since they can get lodged within the gaps in your braces and accumulate plaque. Similarly, sugary (and acidic) drinks tend to damage tooth enamel, increasing the risk of cavities. Extensive decay can also lead to gum problems. In short, try to avoid these food choices as much as possible for the time being or at least rinse your teeth immediately after satisfying your cravings.
Conclusion
Maintaining excellent gum hygiene is crucial during braces treatment to prevent a myriad of issues ranging from gingivitis to periodontal disease. This is because braces create additional spaces where food particles and plaque can accumulate, making the gums more susceptible to disease. By being thorough with your brushing and flossing, you can make sure your gums stay healthy until your braces finally come off. In the end, you won’t just be rewarded with perfectly straight teeth but also glowing oral health.
Location
10 Sinaran Drive, #11-18
Novena Medical Centre
Singapore 307506