By Elara Orthodontics If you have braces in Richmond, you’ve probably noticed that your teeth can turn yellow after a while. This is not only unsightly, but it also indicates a lack of oral hygiene. There are numerous reasons for this. Your orthodontist in Richmond will tell you that there are so many ways to keep your braces white. Here are a few examples.
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Use the Right Toothbrush
The first step to keeping clear braces in Richmond is to use the right toothbrush. You want a small, head-size, soft-bristled toothbrush for sensitive gums and teeth. These brushes are less likely to cause abrasions or damage your braces. The cost of braces in Richmond can be pretty high, so look for a toothbrush with soft bristles on both sides. This allows for a more thorough cleaning of your braces and helps reduce pressure on sensitive areas of your mouth. It also creates more room for water-based products like mouthwash or gel flossers.
Brush Your Teeth at Least Twice a Day
Brushing your teeth twice a day is important to keep them as white as possible. You should also ensure that you use the right toothpaste for your braces and gums. Additionally, your orthodontist in Richmond should guide you on effectively brushing your teeth. Ensure to brush in an up-and-down motion with small circular motions. You should also avoid eating crunchy foods to keep the color of your brackets from turning yellow.
Watch What You Eat and Drink
If you want to keep clear braces from staining, another important thing you can do is avoid foods that may stain your braces. While this might seem obvious, many people forget about this step and end up with yellow braces. The main culprits are tea, coffee, red wine, and berries like cranberries or raspberries. These contain pigments called anthocyanins. If you absolutely must have a cup of tea or coffee, try drinking it through a straw so that the liquid doesn’t touch your braces directly.
Floss Nightly
Another important practice to keep clear braces from staining is flossing every night. Flossing is one of the best ways to prevent gum disease, making your teeth look yellow and unhealthy. If you are using a Waterpik or similar product at home, be sure to rinse between your teeth so that you don’t get any food particles in between them when you brush afterward. If you’re not used to flossing regularly, start today. It may take some time before it becomes second nature for you.
Ditch Your Whitening Toothpaste
If you’re using a whitening toothpaste on your clear braces in Richmond, ditch it. They can actually make your braces yellow. The reason is that they contain a lot of hydrogen peroxide, which is great for eliminating plaque buildup on your teeth but not so great if your braces are made of metal, painted silver, or gold. If you want to keep them as white as possible, use a natural alternative like coconut oil or raw honey.
Get Regular Dental Cleanings
Dental cleanings for clear braces in Richmond are important for overall oral health. This can help keep clear braces from staining, help you cut down on the cost of braces in Richmond, and other common dental problems like gingivitis or bad breath. You should have a dental cleaning every six months, but if you’re having trouble keeping up with that due to your busy schedule or mobility issues, talk with your orthodontist in Richmond about scheduling another appointment sooner.
Get Your Ligatures Changed Frequently
Aside from regular dental cleanings, changing your braces every three months will keep them from staining. This is because the teeth that form the ligature bond can become damaged by prolonged wear and tear. It would be best if you also considered changing out the ligatures in different colors when they start to turn yellow so that they match other parts of your mouth more closely.
Don’t Smoke or Use Other Forms of Tobacco
Smoking and other forms of tobacco are not good for your teeth and braces. The nicotine in cigarettes can stain your braces, make them turn yellow, and cause gum disease. Tobacco also gets between the brackets, which can irritate the brackets and wires. Tobacco also contains acids that can erode tooth enamel. This can make your teeth look worn and discolored, which is not what you want while you are wearing braces. If you smoke cigarettes while wearing braces, it could also cause gum irritation or inflamed gums.
Maintain Mouth guard Hygiene
Your mouth guard is a great way to protect your teeth and gums. However, it’s also important to maintain the hygiene of your braces by keeping them clean and free of plaque buildup. Use an antibacterial mouthwash that contains fluoride, or rinse with water after meals to help keep bacteria at bay.
If you’re wearing traditional braces, make sure to brush your teeth after eating, as stated earlier. Brushing after meals helps prevent plaque from adhering to the brackets and wires of your braces. If you have rubber bands instead of metal brackets, you should still clean them daily with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Watch How You Store Your Toothbrush
The way you store your toothbrush can also affect the color of your braces. If you don’t use it often, keep it in a dry place and away from moisture. Brushing regularly is key to keeping teeth clean and healthy, so ensure that everyone in your family knows how to brush their teeth properly.
If you’re going somewhere that may have a lot of food or drinks (like at a party), try using an old toothbrush instead of one made specifically for braces. This is because they tend not to be as sensitive when used on hard surfaces like metal or plastic parts inside braces.
Avoid Using Old Toothbrushes or Toothbrushes With Worn-out Bristles
If you’re using a toothbrush with worn-out bristles, you’re exposing yourself to bacteria. This can make your braces less effective. You should also avoid using old toothbrushes from other family members, mainly if people with illnesses have used them.
If you’re using an electric toothbrush, make sure it’s been approved by the American Dental Association. Using a non-approved electric toothbrush can be dangerous and harmful to your teeth and gums.
Don’t Share Your Toothbrush With Anyone Else
Your toothbrush or mouthwash is yours alone. You shouldn’t be sharing it, especially if you have braces. This will help prevent bacteria from getting into the bristles of your brush and possibly causing an infection in the future.
Benefits of Clear Braces
Clear braces are a newer alternative to traditional metal braces. Here are some of its advantages.
More Comfortable Than Metal Braces
Clear braces are more comfortable than metal braces. While metal braces can be uncomfortable and cause irritation, clear plastic is easier on the teeth and gums. Because they’re made of plastic, you won’t have to worry about rough edges rubbing against your teeth or gum line like metal brackets.
They Do Not Cause Any Damage When They Are Removed
Metal braces can sometimes cause enamel damage when removed, which should be avoided because it is irreplaceable. There is no risk of tooth enamel damage with clear braces because they do not use the same type of bonding agent as traditional braces.
Easy To Keep Clean
One of the biggest advantages of clear braces is that they are easy to keep clean. Since there are no metal surfaces, you can use regular toothpaste and water to clean your teeth. This makes it much easier to maintain good oral hygiene habits between visits with your orthodontist and dentist. The only downside is that you will have to brush your teeth more often than usual. The good news is that this is something that most people are already doing anyway, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to adjust.
Lower Cost
As stated earlier, the cost of braces in Richmond can be pretty expensive. However, clear braces cost less than metal braces. This is because clear brackets are made of plastic, which is less costly than metal. In addition, the same material can be used in both types of braces. However, clear brackets are usually lighter and thinner than metal ones.
More Discreet Look
Another benefit of clear braces is that they are more discreet than metal braces. This means that you can wear them in public without anyone knowing about your treatment plan. This is especially important for kids. Your child does not have to feel self-conscious about wearing them, making it difficult for some children with special needs or developmental delays.
Things To look Out For Before Getting Clear Braces
Here are some things you should note:
It’s Going To Feel a Little Weird at First
You may feel a little uncomfortable initially, but don’t worry, it’s normal. You mustn’t remove the braces until your orthodontist gives you the go-ahead. The discomfort will pass within a few days of wearing them.
They Might Not Be Covered by Your Insurance
If you have insurance, it’s likely that they don’t cover clear braces. This is because braces are considered a medical device, not regular dental work. If you want clear braces, you must know what kind of coverage you have before making any decisions about getting them done.
How They Cost
The cost of clear braces varies by location and dentist. You can expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000 for a complete set of braces. However, if you have additional needs, such as metal brackets or wires that need replacing over time, the price will rise accordingly.
Be Careful About Your Lipstick
you enjoy accessorizing your look with bare lips? If you do, consider using vibrant purples or reds. After all, you don’t want to smile while wearing unobtrusive clear braces that are smudged in makeup.
Conclusion
If you follow these tips and keep your braces clean, then your braces and teeth will stay white for a long time. Visit our website for a dental consultation in Richmond.