Happy Dental Hygiene Month!

Tips on Proper Dental Care

Dental hygiene is essential for keeping your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy, especially when you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. October is Dental Hygiene Month, and we want to remind all our patients about the importance of proper teeth care, whether they have braces or aligners.

Take a look below at some tips on caring for your teeth, gums, braces, and aligners. In addition, learn more about maintaining a happy, healthy smile, and get in touch with our team if you have any questions about your dental hygiene! 

How to Care for Your Teeth & Braces

If you have braces, you should be flossing once a day and brushing your teeth after every meal. Remember to brush the outside, inside, and crowns of your teeth in a circular motion, paying particular attention to the brackets on your teeth. You should also brush your gums, tongue, and cheeks. When flossing, remember to use a “C” shape to get all the areas around your gums. Floss threaders can help you get around wires and brackets, and rinsing your mouth can help loosen food particles.

The kit we provided for you at the start of your treatment should help, but we always welcome the chance to discuss what tools work best for taking care of your teeth when you have braces. Feel free to reach out to our team with any additional questions you may have! 

How to Care for Your Aligners

Unlike braces, aligners can be taken off for eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth. Even though you remove your aligners for these activities, you need to care for your aligners to ensure they last and to protect the health of your teeth and gums. We recommend gently brushing your aligners using toothpaste and cool water every time you remove them. And, of course, you should be brushing and flossing your teeth as recommended above.

Adirondack Orthodontics and Your Dental Hygiene

At Adirondack Orthodontics, we want to help our patients achieve and preserve straight, healthy smiles for a lifetime. Keeping these dental care tips in mind during and after your treatment will help you reach the smile of your dreams! If you have any further questions about oral hygiene techniques, please call or text your nearest location, or request an appointment here.

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Give Your Teeth a Happy Home with Gum Care!

How Orthodontics & Gum Health Go Hand in Hand

September is National Gum Care Month, so we would like to take a minute to reiterate the importance of gum health and how vital it is to properly care for your gums before, throughout, and beyond your orthodontic treatment.

The Dangers of Poor Gum Care

When you don’t follow a proper brushing and flossing regimen, the consequences can range from painful and inconvenient to catastrophic. As plaque and tartar build up at the base of your teeth, your gums can be irritated, leading to gingivitis. Painful and unpleasant, gingivitis is characterized by swollen, inflamed, bleeding gums and bad breath. And if gingivitis isn’t addressed, periodontitis, a serious gum disease, can develop. According to the CDC, “47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease.” Since periodontal diseases can cause bone and tooth loss, proper gum care is essential.

The Relationship Between Gum Health & Orthodontics

Gum care is important for people of all ages, regardless of whether they are currently straightening their teeth. However, healthy gums are essential for orthodontics because the treatment depends on strong bones and teeth. During treatment, pressure is put on the teeth and gums as the teeth are slowly moved into place. If gum decay isn’t addressed before treatment, this process can actually lead to more damage.

Fortunately, Adirondack Orthodontics can help you understand how to care for your teeth and gums – before, during, and after your orthodontic treatment.

The Right Gum Care Routine

If you’ve already started your orthodontic journey, you have likely already learned from our team members how to keep your mouth healthy throughout your treatment. Whether or not you are currently undergoing orthodontic treatment, you should follow the same rules: brush your teeth after eating and floss daily to remove food and prevent plaque buildup.

At Adirondack Orthodontics, we are always here to act as a resource for our patients. If you would like to find out if you’re the right candidate for orthodontic treatment or learn more about how you can take care of your gums, schedule an appointment at your nearest location. We look forward to helping you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. Call or text us today! 

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