People who wear braces must make an extra effort to keep their teeth clean. They maneuver around brackets, molar bands, arch wires, ligatures and, possibly, auxiliary components. Their mouths can be pretty crowded places, with lots of nooks, crannies and locations that aren’t necessarily accessible with dental floss and a toothbrush. Thus, the case for adding a water flosser to the oral hygiene routine of those who wear braces.
At Hudson River Orthodontics, we know that confidence in your smile and overall oral health affects the way you feel about yourself personally, socially and professionally. We stay at the forefront of orthodontic research and use the latest diagnosis and treatment techniques to help our patients achieve their desired results.
Plaque and food particles that aren’t removed with brushing and flossing can harden and become tartar, which can lead to all sorts of oral health concerns. Only a dental professional can remove tartar.
Water flossers (also called oral irrigators or dental water jets) are handheld tools that discharge a strong stream of water at your teeth and gums. The water reaches places that toothbrushes and dental floss might have missed. Water flossers are not a substitute for traditional string floss, which has the advantage of using abrasion to loosen unwanted materials under the gum line, where a water flosser doesn’t always reach.
It’s always best to, in this sequence, string-floss, water floss and brush. The string floss loosens and scrapes away various types of gunk, the water flosser blasts it out of your mouth, and the toothbrush and toothpaste finish up the job.
By wearing braces, you’re investing time and effort into your mission to acquire a beautiful smile and great oral health. The last thing you want or need is to mess it all up with tooth decay and gum disease that could have been prevented with a water flosser.
The office of Hudson River Orthodontics uses up-to-the-minute knowledge and technology to perform a complete array of orthodontic procedures with the utmost care and precision. Our team is made up of friendly, highly trained specialists who are eager to help you feel comfortable and relaxed while receiving the best care. Please call us today to schedule an appointment
