In several ways, clean, healthy teeth are more important than straight teeth. Can you imagine going through orthodontic treatment, only to have cavities and gum disease at the end when you’re ready to show off your beautiful new smile? If you want to score a winning smile, you will need to focus on and practice oral hygiene regularly.

Why is oral hygiene so important?

Brushing and flossing remove plaque, which contains bacteria that produce acid. This acid eats away at the enamel of your teeth, causing cavities. It also causes inflammation and/or infection in the gums that leads to bleeding and swelling. If the inflammation and infection are not addressed, it can cause bone loss and recession. Not only are these conditions painful, but they also take away from the radiant new smile that you have worked so hard for.

At GoaLine Orthodontics in Frisco, TX, we recommend brushing and flossing after every meal. It is especially important to floss before bedtime, so that plaque is not sitting between your teeth while you sleep.

Tools of the Trade

Proper hygiene is slightly more challenging during orthodontic treatment, but Team GoaLine will give you every tool that you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy during the process. When you’re at the starting LINE of your orthodontic treatment at our Frisco orthodontic office, you’ll receive a goody bag with toothbrushes, floss, floss threaders, floss picks, and proxabrushes along with thorough instructions for the use of each of the tools throughout your orthodontic journey.

Many patients are extremely successful with just a traditional manual toothbrush. If, however, you would like to use an electric toothbrush, such as Oral B or Sonicare, and feel that it would be more efficient for you, we encourage you to use one. Be sure to follow all instructions carefully and make sure that your dentist is satisfied with your hygiene.

Don’t Forget to See Your General Dentist

You should see your general dentist at least every six months for a cleaning and exam—especially while you are in orthodontic treatment! Many patients mistakenly believe that the orthodontist checks for cavities and cleans the teeth. Although we do evaluate oral hygiene at each appointment and look for any obvious areas of decay or gum disease, your general dentist takes the close up x-rays and probes for small cavities or early stages of gingivitis. Therefore, it is extremely important to see both your orthodontist and your general dentist regularly!

If you are interested in starting your journey toward an All-Star smile or have questions about keeping your teeth clean during your orthodontic treatment, Team GoaLine would be happy to help! GoaLine Orthodontics can be reached at info@goalineortho.com or (972) 712-2700.