When you get braces, you imagine how straight and beautiful your teeth will be after you are finished with your treatment, right? However, to achieve that beautiful smile, it is essential that you practice good oral hygiene while you are wearing your braces. In fact, you need to be more diligent during the time you are wearing braces. So, what can happen if you don’t practice good oral hygiene with braces?
What Is Good Oral Hygiene?
During the time you are wearing braces, it is more important than ever to follow these basic oral hygiene steps:
- Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day.
- Floss your teeth once a day.
- Visit your dentist every six months for a dental checkup.
What Are the Negative Impacts of Poor Oral Hygiene?
Whether you have braces or not, poor oral hygiene can negatively affect your smile, but it could affect you more while wearing braces. Here are the potential issues that can occur if you don’t take proper care of your teeth:
- Prolonged treatment time – If you don’t practice proper oral hygiene with braces, you could end up wearing your braces for a more extended period.
- Gingivitis – When plaque builds up in your mouth on the gum line, you can experience swollen and bleeding gums. Gingivitis, or gum disease, is the beginning phase of periodontal disease. Be sure to massage your gums with your toothbrush and floss along the gumline.
- Periodontitis – If gingivitis goes untreated, it can cause an infection known as periodontitis, and this gum infection can cause your gums to recede, leading to even more plaque buildup in your mouth.
- Decalcifications – Another side effect of poor oral hygiene with braces is decalcifications or “white spots” on your teeth; these are permanent stains that will stay on your teeth after your braces come off, so it’s imperative to brush your teeth as your dentist recommends.
Do You Need a Dentist in Fairfield, VIC?
We welcome your call at Sparkle Dental Care if you have questions about oral hygiene with or without braces. Call us on (03) 94814392 for more information.