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The community health awareness group Oral Health America has reported that 82 percent of adults are unaware of the role that infectious bacteria can play in tooth decay or cavities, and almost three out of five children aged 12 to 19 have tooth decay. Since June is National Smile Month, Dr. Joel Martinez, Dr. Christopher Martinez, and Dr. Vanessa Martinez and our team at Joel Martinez, DDS thought we’d remind our patients about the importance of good oral hygiene visits between office visits.

To keep your family’s smiles healthy and beautiful for years to come, be sure to:

• Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss every day to clean between your teeth
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
• Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks
• Visit Dr. Joel Martinez, Dr. Christopher Martinez, and Dr. Vanessa Martinez for scheduled appointments

If you want to know more about healthy home care habits, feel free to ask our team at your next appointment, or ask us on Facebook!

A bright, beautiful smile is often achieved with braces. The time you spend wearing braces is an investment in the good health and appearance of your smile. However, Dr. Joel Martinez, Dr. Christopher Martinez, and Dr. Vanessa Martinez and our staff know that having braces on your teeth can pose challenges. Many of these challenges are commonly faced by all who wear braces, such as flossing, getting food stuck in your braces, and bad breath.

Today, let’s address bad breath and what to do about it. There’s no reason you have to shy away from conversation for fear that you’ve got bad breath.

Fresh Breath Tips for Braces Wearers

• Eat a Healthy Diet. Unhealthy foods that are laden with sugar can contribute to bad breath. Stick with healthy produce, protein, grains, and dairy found on the list of foods your orthodontist says are safe to eat with braces.
• Drink Non-Sugary Beverages. Likewise, steer clear of sugary sodas and juices for the same reason. They contribute to bad breath.
• Stay Hydrated. A mouth that’s continually dry can lead to bad breath by inhibiting your production of saliva. Regular production of saliva removes bacteria and excess food from your mouth, both of which cause bad breath.
• Brush Often. Brush your teeth and tongue first thing in the morning, after each meal and snack, and before you go to bed, to remove food particles and bacteria that cause bad breath.
• Don’t Forget to Floss. Flossing with braces might seem tricky, but it is a necessity. Ask Dr. Joel Martinez, Dr. Christopher Martinez, and Dr. Vanessa Martinez to show you the best way to floss effectively with braces.
• Mouthwash Use. Use the mouthwash recommended by Dr. Joel Martinez, Dr. Christopher Martinez, and Dr. Vanessa Martinez. For the best results, swish the mouthwash around in your mouth for 30 seconds.
• Get Regular Cleanings. Regular dental exams and cleanings are more important when you have braces. Cavities can delay your treatment progress, so be sure to visit your dentist every six months.

Practice Good Hygiene Daily

Good oral hygiene practices are important every day, whether you wear braces or not. But they become even more important during the months you wear braces. In addition to your regular orthodontic checkups, see your general dentist for cleanings and exams.

Together, you and our McAllen team will keep your mouth healthy and fresh during and after your orthodontic treatment.

Dr. Martinez always recommends daily brushing and flossing during your orthodontic treatment. Just like with regular oral health standards, it’s important to keep up with a good dental routine in order to remove plaque and concentrated bacteria from the mouth to help prevent cavities and bad breath. It’s particularly important when undergoing an orthodontic treatment because plaque is twice as likely to build up when you have braces on and can’t effectively brush the entire tooth as well as you normally would.

Plaque forms on the smooth surfaces and in-between teeth after we eat food, especially foods rich in carbohydrates. Three things are needed to cause cavities: a tooth’s surface, bacteria, and a food source. If you remove the food source, you remove the chance for bacteria to create a cavity! Brushing helps to remove plaque from the smooth surfaces of your teeth, while flossing removes plaque and concentrated bacteria that are left in-between the teeth.

Brushing should be done with minimal pressure, in circular motions, and with a soft bristle toothbrush and fluoride containing toothpaste. Dr. Martinez recommends a full two minutes of thorough brushing, which also includes massaging the gum line with the toothbrush bristles. Flossing should be done with a single piece of dental floss that’s used in between teeth and guided into the gingival sulcus. This ensures that each gum pocket is thoroughly cleaned!

Both traditional and electric toothbrushes can be used to clean teeth thoroughly. A traditional toothbrush is more technique sensitive, and requires better hand-eye coordination. An electric toothbrush is used by individuals with limited dexterity, or difficulty guiding a traditional toothbrush around the mouth. If you aren’t sure which type of toothbrush to use, feel free to ask Dr. Martinez during your next appointment. Remember, brushing and flossing is vital when maintaining good oral health while you have your braces on!

Dr. Martinez knows how important it is to understand treatment process when getting braces. Successful treatment includes maintaining a healthy oral environment, watching what you eat and bite down on, and being compliant by following any instructions given throughout the course of treatment (i.e. wearing elastics).

Once your orthodontic treatment begins, it will take time for the lips and mouth to get used to the brackets. If the discomfort exceeds toleration, wax can be applied on top of the bracket where the pain is. Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen can also help relieve symptoms of discomfort. If the pain continues, please call the office to schedule an emergency appointment.

You should also be aware that slight headaches and tenderness while eating are also a possible side effect. Patients should avoid hard foods like popcorn and ice, chewy sticky candies like caramel, and should always cut up foods like apples, carrots, and corn on the cob. Following these guidelines will help prevent a bracket from getting stuck and breaking off in the process of chewing. This is important because losing a bracket can put a halt on the entire treatment process.

Dr. Martinez also recommends brushing with fluoride toothpaste, as well as rinsing with fluoride mouthwash to keep the oral appliances clean. Patients should brush after each meal and continue to floss daily while wearing their braces. We advise against using any bleaching agents during an orthodontic treatment because the brackets will prevent some surface of the teeth from getting bleached, leading to poor whitening results.

Our office provides excellent customer service, a positive atmosphere, and 30+ years of clinical experience. Dr. Martinez is always driven to be the best he can be for each and every one of his patients. His undivided attention, along with his patients’ commitment to their treatment, is what helps create a long-lasting result, also known as a beautiful new smile!