The 3 Ways to Prevent Periodontal Disease When You Have Braces

12 Oct The 3 Ways to Prevent Periodontal Disease When You Have Braces

When you align your smile, there is a chance the plaque on your teeth won’t be removed on a regular basis because brushing and flossing can be difficult. When the plaque doesn’t get removed, it can begin to irritate your gums and create gum disease. This is a serious and dangerous dental issue that can completely destroy your smile and alter your oral health. So, to help you prevent this disease while you straighten your teeth, our team encourages you to do the following things:

Brush your teeth

As you may already know, it is very important to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. However, you might want to scrub your smile more often because of the orthodontic appliance that is currently aligning your smile. Food and plaque tend to get stuck in the braces and they tend to gather around the brackets, which is why it is very important to brush as often as possible with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

Floss your smile

Flossing is vital if you want to prevent gum disease. Flossing cleans the crevices of your smile and removes the plaque and food particles that reside there. Make sure you floss at least once a day and you are gentle as you floss near the gums. If you need help flossing with braces, we will be happy to give you some tips.

Visit your dentist

Dental cleanings are the only treatment that can completely remove plaque from your teeth, so it’s extremely important to keep up with your dental cleanings every six months. During these appointments, your dental team will deeply clean your smile and will scrape the surfaces of your teeth to remove the plaque that lives there.

For more information about gum disease prevention while you have braces in Durham, North Carolina, call us today and schedule an appointment with your dentist, Dr. Desiree T. Palmer, DMD . Our friendly team will be happy to help you in any way we can if you just call 919-471-9106 now. We look forward to hearing from you!