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Oral Health Tips

Keeping Your Smile Healthy & Bright

At Commerce Park Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics, our goal is for you to have a beautiful, healthy smile. One of the key components to a healthy smile is excellent oral hygiene, especially for patients in orthodontic treatment. Wearing braces naturally increases plaque buildup by providing plenty of places for food particles and bacteria to become trapped. Check out some of our helpful oral health tips below to prevent damaging your appliances and keep your mouth clean!

Benefits Of Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene During Braces

Maintaining good oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is essential in preventing common dental issues such as tooth decay and gum disease, which can be exacerbated by braces or aligners trapping food particles and plaque. It reduces the risk of developing white spots or decalcification on teeth, a common side effect of prolonged orthodontic treatment. When you actively keep your teeth and gums clean, it can also minimize discomfort and inflammation, ensuring a smoother and more comfortable treatment experience. A healthy oral environment supports optimal tooth movement and alignment, potentially shortening the overall treatment time and leading to better long-term results.

Expert Oral Health Tips During Orthodontic Treatment

At Commerce Park Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics, we look forward to helping you achieve a new, beautiful smile through our orthodontic services. In order to achieve the best possible smile, excellent oral hygiene is required during your time in treatment. Some tips to follow include:

Cleaning around brackets and wires can be challenging. That’s why we recommend using a soft bristle toothbrush to tackle those hard to reach spaces! Don’t forget to brush your teeth morning and night with toothpaste.

We understand flossing can be trickier with brackets and wires. We recommend using an orthodontic floss or a floss threader to clean between teeth and under the wires to make sure plaque and food particles are removed.

If you are having trouble threading floss between teeth even with threaders, we encourage using a water flosser to gently remove food particles in hard to reach places.

An antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash can help reduce plaque, prevent gum disease and strengthen tooth enamel.

Limit foods that can damage braces, such as chewy candies, gum, nuts, and hard fruits or vegetables.

Reduce intake of sugary foods and beverages that can increase the risk of tooth decay.

Drink plenty of water to help wash away food particles and bacteria, and to keep your mouth moist.

Visit one of our dentists regularly for professional cleanings and check-ups to monitor oral health and address any issues promptly.

Wear a mouthguard to protect your braces and teeth from injury during physical activities.

Expert Oral Health Tips For Cleaning Aligners

Keeping your aligners clean will help keep your oral hygiene in tip-top shape during orthodontic treatment. Follow the tips below to keep your aligners as clean as possible:

Brush Gently

Use a soft bristle toothbrush and clear, unscented antibacterial soap or toothpaste to gently brush your aligners to make sure all surfaces are clean without causing scratches.

It’s a good idea to wash your aligners with water when you remove them to clean them up and prevent saliva and plaque from building up.

Never use hot water to clean or soak your aligners, as it can warp the plastic and compromise the fit and effectiveness.

Clean your aligner case regularly with warm water and soap to prevent the transfer of bacteria to your aligners.

Refrain from eating or drinking anything other than water while wearing your aligners to prevent staining.

Soak Daily

Soak your aligners daily in a cleaning solution designed for clear aligners or a mixture of water and clear, unscented antibacterial soap to keep them fresh and free of bacteria.

Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your aligners to avoid introducing bacteria and dirt.

We want your aligners to stay in their best condition so that they can be as effective as possible during your treatment. Regularly check your aligners for any signs of damage or discoloration and promptly report any issues to our team.

When you are not wearing them, always store your aligners in their designated case to protect them from damage.

Smile Brightly At Commerce Park Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics

At Commerce Park Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics, our goal is to help our patients receive high-quality pediatric dental and orthodontic care. By keeping excellent oral health during your orthodontic treatment, you can maintain your beautiful smile for years to come. We encourage you to follow these oral health tips—so you can smile brightly! For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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Healthy Smiles Start at Commerce Park

Pediatric Dental and Orthodontic Care

We are proud to offer comprehensive pediatric dental and orthodontic care for all ages. Our inclusive approach and experienced team provide low-stress visits and a friendly environment. Get started at one of our three convenient locations!

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Healthy Smiles Start at Commerce Park

Pediatric Dental and Orthodontic Care For The Whole Family

We are proud to offer comprehensive pediatric dental and orthodontic care for the whole family. Our inclusive approach and experienced team provide low-stress visits and a friendly environment. Get started at one of our three convenient locations!

Bridgeport

4702 Main St., Bridgeport, CT 06606
(203) 371-8282

Shelton

27 Huntington St., Shelton, CT 06484
(203) 371-8282

Westport

1580 Post Rd. E, Westport, CT 06880
(203) 371-8282

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