Gum disease is a terrifying dental issue, especially because it can result in infected gums and loose and lost teeth if it’s not treated. This disease forms when you fail to remove the plaque from your teeth on a regular basis. Now, as you may already know, you’re more likely to suffer from this disease if you have braces because it can be difficult to properly clean your smile each day. So, to help you avoid gum disease when you have braces, our Dental Designs of Bountiful encourages you to do the following things:
Brush your teeth
Make sure you brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. Brushing helps remove the plaque from the surfaces of your teeth and it also kills the harmful bacteria and germs that can also create tooth decay. When you brush, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Do your best to brush thoroughly along the gumline but be gentle as you do so.
Floss your smile
Flossing is very beneficial because it not only reduces your chances of developing gum disease, but it also cleans the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth that your brush could not clean. When the floss removes the plaque and food particles from the crevices of your smile, your teeth and gums have a better chance at surviving.
Visit your dentist
There is one treatment that will completely remove the plaque from your smile and that treatment is a dental cleaning. It’s very important that you receive a dental cleaning every six months so our dental team can clean your smile and save your gums. We will also remove the plaque that has gathered near your orthodontic brackets.
Call Dental Designs of Bountiful now at 801-295-7171 if you have any questions or if you would like to talk to your dentist, Dr. David Duke, about gum disease and braces in Bountiful, Utah. We look forward to hearing from you!