Dr. Jaffe is a talented orthodontist who provides exceptional orthodontic care to patients of all ages living in and around Barrington, Portsmouth, and Bristol, Rhode Island. Whether you are visiting us for Invisalign treatment or are wearing braces that are bonded to your teeth, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene throughout your treatment process.

The last thing you want to have happen is to find out that you have cavities or unsightly staining that could have been avoided by sticking to your regimen of brushing and flossing. To help ensure you have good oral health for the entire time you are improving your smile, here are a few oral hygiene tips to follow.

Be A Champion Brusher!

Our practice recommends brushing your teeth every morning, after every meal, and every night at bedtime. When you do a great job of brushing your teeth several times a day, you can keep your teeth as clean as possible for the entire time you are in orthodontic treatment. If need be, set a reminder on your phone or notebook so you do not forget to brush!

Use A Special Flossing Tool

You should be flossing your teeth at least once per day, preferably at bedtime. Because it is difficult to floss using regular dental floss when you have braces, you can use a special floss threader that is designed to make it easier to reach between your teeth and in all the nooks and crannies your wires and brackets have. A very useful tool to use is a WaterPik water flosser. This device works by using a tiny high-pressure stream of water to clean between the teeth and in all those areas around your braces your toothbrush cannot reach.

Use A Mouthwash Or Mouth Rinse

It can be very helpful to use an alcohol-free mouthwash like Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection mouthwash after you are done brushing and flossing. This type of mouthwash kills bad breath germs, helps prevent cavities, and strengthens enamel. You can even use a mouth rinse before you brush such as Plax that helps loosen plaque so it is easier to remove when brushing your teeth.

Carry A Braces Care Kit With You

A great idea is to take your oral hygiene tools along with you to work or school so you do not have any excuses not to clean your teeth. Simply put your toothbrush, toothpaste, a small bottle of mouthwash, and a flossing tool into a small zippered case or pouch and take it with you when you know you will be gone from home for a long period of time. Then you can just slip into the nearest bathroom after meals to clean your teeth and freshen your breath.

Contact Jaffe Orthodontics Today!

If you have any questions about maintaining good oral hygiene while you are wearing braces, please do not hesitate to contact us as we are always here to help! We want the time you spend wearing braces to be a pleasant, trouble-free experience. We also want you to be excited about your treatment as before you know it, you will have something really great to smile broadly about and that is your new straight and healthy smile that looks amazing on you!

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