Meticulous oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment not only prevents cavities but it also can prevent white spot lesions—those unsightly marks on your teeth. In this post, we’ll review Dr. Nishant Patel’s three most important steps on how to keep your teeth and gums healthy, ensuring you can enjoy a braces-free smile free from cavities, white spots and puffy gums.
Dr. Nishant Patel, an orthodontist practicing in Cary, NC, recommends three key strategies for keeping your teeth clean when wearing braces, clear aligners or Invisalign:
Brush three times a day
It sounds simple, right? But believe it or not, not everyone brushes three times a day, and even fewer people brush for a full two minutes. Brushing three times a day for two minutes each time will significantly reduce your chances of developing white spot lesions and cavities. Those extra six minutes each day can help keep your smile cavity-free for many years to come.
Floss Daily
Why is flossing important? Flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from areas that a toothbrush can’t reach—between your teeth! While traditional string floss is the most effective, floss picks work well too, as long as you make sure the floss string properly contacts the surfaces of your teeth.
3. Limit Acidic Beverage Consumption
Cutting back on acidic drinks prevents enamel erosion. Reducing sugary and acidic beverages, such as fruit juices and sodas, limits the acid and sugar that can attack your teeth, which may lead to enamel breakdown. Dr. Patel’s main advice is to minimize the frequency of sugary, acidic drinks to reduce the repeated acid and sugar attacks on your teeth.
Final Thoughts:
Stick to these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to a beautiful, healthy smile once your braces come off. Whether you’re in Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Raleigh or Durham, North Carolina, these simple habits will help you achieve the best smile possible after orthodontic treatment.