It Hurts To Brush My Teeth With Braces
Having braces is an excellent way to align your teeth and achieve a beautiful smile. However, it comes with a set of challenges, one of which is the pain experienced while brushing teeth with braces. The wires and brackets on your teeth make it difficult to clean every corner of your mouth. This article will guide you on how to brush your teeth with braces without hurting yourself.
Why Does Brushing Teeth With Braces Hurt?
Brushing your teeth with braces can cause discomfort, soreness, and even bleeding of the gums. This pain is usually due to the brackets and wires irritating your gums and teeth. The brackets and wires create crevices where food particles can get stuck, leading to the formation of plaque and bacteria. When not cleaned correctly, the bacteria can cause inflammation, swelling, and bleeding of the gums, leading to pain.
How To Brush Your Teeth With Braces
Brushing your teeth with braces requires a specific technique to ensure that you clean every corner of your mouth effectively. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Begin by rinsing your mouth with water to remove any loose food particles.
Step 2: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth gently. Start by brushing the outer surface of your teeth, angling the brush at 45 degrees to your gum line. Brush in circular motions, using light pressure to avoid hurting your gums.
Step 3: Brush the inner surfaces of your teeth, using the same circular motions and light pressure.
Step 4: Brush the chewing surfaces of your teeth, using back-and-forth motions.
Step 5: Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove any bacteria and freshen your breath.
Step 6: Rinse your mouth with water, ensuring that you remove all the toothpaste and food particles.
Step 7: Floss between your teeth and braces to remove any food particles that your toothbrush may have missed.
What To Avoid When Brushing Teeth With Braces
When brushing your teeth with braces, there are certain things that you should avoid to prevent hurting yourself. These include:
Using a hard-bristled toothbrush: A hard-bristled toothbrush can damage your brackets and wires, leading to pain and discomfort.
Using too much pressure: Brushing your teeth with too much force can irritate your gums and cause bleeding.
Skipping flossing: Flossing is crucial when you have braces since it helps remove food particles that your toothbrush may have missed.
Eating sticky and hard foods: Sticky and hard foods can damage your braces and cause pain and discomfort.
Conclusion
Brushing your teeth with braces may be painful at times, but it is essential to maintain proper oral hygiene. Follow the steps outlined above and avoid the things mentioned to ensure that you clean your teeth effectively without hurting yourself. Remember to visit your orthodontist regularly for check-ups and adjustments to your braces. With the right care, your braces will help you achieve a beautiful and healthy smile.