Tips to protect teeth while wearing braces
Last Updated December 2021
When you add braces to your mouth, cleaning becomes a lot more complicated, but it is still manageable if you pay special attention.
The main challenge when you wear braces is that food particles can easily get trapped and end up sticking to the teeth. When sugars and starches are turned into corrosive acid, and trapped behind the braces in places hard to reach by brushing and flossing alone, they can easily lead to tooth decay.
LISTERINE® can reach hard-to-reach spots that brushing and flossing may miss and can play an important part of your overall oral care routine. Don’t avoid teeth-cleaning because it is harder; it’s not impossible so stick to your twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing and rinsing with LISTERINE® mouthwash.
3 TIPS FOR PROTECTING TEETH
The more you know, the more you can start to feel like most things you put in your mouth are enemies of your tooth enamel and gums. While this may be true, the good news is that you can counteract the damage by following these healthy-mouth steps to replace lost minerals, keep teeth strong and prevent damage brought about by germs.
TIP #1: Floss at Least Once Daily
Flossing removes food particles and bacterial debris between the teeth, making bacteria less likely to stick around and turn into hard tartar, which can only be removed by the dentist and professional dental tools.
TIP #2: Change Your Toothbrushes
Replace your toothbrush every 2-3 months. Be sure to use soft-bristle brushes that are gentle on the gums. Also consider an electric toothbrush that cleans teeth effectively without being too abrasive.
TIP #3: Use Mouthwash
Rinsing with a fluoride-containing mouthwash, like LISTERINE® Total Care, can provide effective gum protection* and stronger teeth in 2 weeks**.
*greater plaque reduction vs brushing alone in 2 weeks,**used twice daily for 2 weeks promotes enamel re-mineralisation to strengthen teeth.
CAVITIES & STRONG TEETH: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Plaque Vs. Tartar?
Tartar is basically plaque that has been left untreated and worsened into a harder surface on the teeth that only dentists can remove. Plaque is a thick film on teeth comprised of saliva and trapped food particles that build up above and below the gum line . Plaque removal can be achieved by gentle brushing, flossing or rinsing with an antiseptic LISTERINE® mouthwash. The acid from plaque can attack teeth soon after meals; if not cleaned away it can break through enamel and lead to cavities. Plaque also harms gums and can lead to red, swollen gums that bleed when brushed, or even lead to receding gums.
Tartar is yellow in colour and appears on the gum line. It is plaque that was not removed and has hardened from mineral deposits in saliva. Tartar continues to grow and calcify if not removed. Tartar can only be removed from your teeth by dental professionals and their professional tools . Brushing, flossing, rinsing with LISTERINE® Total Care mouthwash and using a tartar-control toothpaste can help prevent this.