A beautiful smile takes maintenance. Long after the braces have been removed and the retainer is cast aside, these perfectly straightened teeth will serve you in a life filled with eating, chewing, talking and the occasional knock and grind.
At Norwest Orthodontics, our aim is to see you enjoy a beautiful and natural smile that lasts a lifetime, so here are our top tips for maintaining great teeth for life.
Brushing
Vigilant oral care is the key to looking after your teeth, and it all comes down to a daily routine where each element of your mouth gets the attention it deserves.
A proper oral hygiene routine involves brushing at least twice daily, using a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. The routine should take about two to three minutes in total and requires a focus on each individual tooth as you work you way around the mouth.
It’s recommended you hold the brush at a 45-degree angle against teeth and gums, using vertical or circular strokes.
Orthodontic treatment that creates straight teeth allows you to access these teeth effectively, ensuring there are no hard to reach areas where teeth cross over or where plaque has the potential to build up.
Flossing
Often overlooked as part of the dental routine, flossing is an essential element of good oral care. Gentle flossing between the teeth at least once daily allows you to get into hard to reach areas where food residue and plaque can accumulate.
The occasional rinse
Sugary foods like sweets are the natural enemy of good teeth due to the residue they leave behind. If possible, brush your teeth after sweets, but if that’s not viable give your mouth a swish and rinse with warm water to help remove any debris and prevent acid formation.
Checkups
A visit to your dentist should be etched into the calendar at least every six months. This allows a trained professional to identify and treat issues early, before they have the chance to become more serious or require extensive treatment.
Check-ins
Even though your orthodontic treatment may have concluded, your orthodontist is still available to assist throughout the course of your life.
If you feel your straight smile is beginning to fade, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to have any problems remedied. Like visiting the dentist, it’s a case of the sooner the better, as problems identified early often require less extensive treatment.
Treat mishaps
Should your teeth take a knock, suffer a chip or be subjected to grinding, get them checked as soon as possible after the incident occurs. It’s better to deal with tooth trauma early to prevent ongoing repercussions.
Some facts
Oral health is extremely important to your general health and wellbeing. The World Health Organisation has found 60–90% of school children and nearly 99% of adults have dental cavities.
Dental cavities and gum disease are the leading cause of tooth loss. Importantly, poor oral hygiene, gum diseases and tooth loss are often a pre-cursor to more serious problems such as cardiovascular disease.
About Norwest Orthodontics
Norwest Orthodontics specialises in helping you achieve a great smile, no matter your age. We feature a range of orthodontic treatments that span from early intervention right through to remedial adult work.
We also have a suite of treatments available that include discrete, removeable Invisalign braces, and welcome the opportunity to work with you to achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
You can learn more about our services, or contact us to make an appointment
