Oral Hygiene
Orthodontic Treatment in Knoxville, TN
Welcome to Myers Orthodontics, located in Knoxville, Tennessee. Our very own Dr. Beau R. Myers is a leading orthodontist in Knoxville, TN, and gladly serves the children and adult communities of Halls, Fountain City, Bearden, and the greater Knoxville, TN area. We offer an extensive number of services to our patients, ranging from braces to Invisalign, to post-orthodontic care treatment. We are also more than happy to give you the necessary tips and tools to work on your oral hygiene at home as well. Together we will work as a team to leave your mouth as healthy and beautiful as possible!
The Importance Of Taking Care Of Your Mouth During Orthodontic Treatment
During orthodontic treatment, it is critical to maintaining optimal oral hygiene. The reason is that when these appliances are being worn, food and plaque can be easily trapped between the teeth. Here are tips on how you can keep your mouth clean during orthodontic treatment.
- Keep In Mind The Plaque: Food that gets trapped near the surfaces of your teeth can lead to the formation of plaque. Plaque contains potentially harmful bacteria and should not be ignored, especially during orthodontic treatment! Plaque can irritate gums, cause cavities, and even cause gum disease.
- Control Your Diet: Consider avoiding foods that will increase your risk of developing tooth decay. This means that you will want to minimize or eliminate foods with excess sugar, such as soda and sweets, and avoid foods that can easily get stuck in your braces, like gum, toffee, and other chewy foods. Chewy and sticky foods can also chip or break your orthodontic appliances. Try to maintain a healthy diet, and cut harder yet healthy foods into bite-sized pieces before eating.
- Brushing Daily: As we have already stated, brushing and flossing are particularly important while you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Since your teeth can be harder and more inconvenient to clean, we recommend that you try using a soft-bristle or a bi-level toothbrush (one with longer bristles on the edges and shorter ones in the middle) can be extremely effective. For hard-to-clean areas, try an interdental brush, or a proxabrush. If you are persistent and gentle, you can reach even the smallest nooks and crannies to help control plaque buildup.
- Floss Daily: You should also floss at least once a day during your treatment; it will help get between the wires that your toothbrushes cannot. Consider buying a WaterPik, interdental brushes, and different flosses (such as a floss threader, super floss, or a platypus flosser) to make it easier to clean the brackets and wires in your mouth.
- Use Fluoride: Depending on your situation, we may recommend either in-home or in-office supplemental treatments that work to boost your cavity resistance. Whether it's toothpaste or mouthwash, look for the fluoride ingredient when shopping.
- Wear Retainers: If you were given a retainer, it should be used and cleaned daily!
- Get Professional Care: It is imperative that you see both your dentist and orthodontist regularly for cleanings, adjustments/tightenings, and to assess the process of your orthodontic treatment.
Contact Your Knoxville, Tennessee Orthodontist Today
At Myers Orthodontics, we are committed to providing a gold standard in orthodontic care while maintaining a friendly, fun, and warm atmosphere. While Dr. Myers has been treating patients in Knoxville, TN, for over 10 years, he and his highly trained team makes sure to make every patient feel comfortable and at home during their time in the office. If you have any other questions about how to maintain your oral hygiene, or if you would like to set up an appointment with us, feel free to visit our contact page and reach out to either our Fountain City office or our Bearden office.