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When a person is first fitted with braces, a whole lot of questions often come to mind. How do I take care of my braces? How do I make sure that I don't break the wires or brackets? What kind of foods and drinks should I avoid? How do I floss my teeth with braces on?
These are really important questions that we love going over with our patients. We make it a priority to help you navigate the world of braces as painlessly and efficiently as possible. We find that the more eager our patients are to ask questions about how to care for their braces, the better time they have during their treatment. Conscientious patients are the best! We can tell you're one of them since you're searching for an answer to a very important question.
One of the questions that is sometimes asked and is a really important one is this: what type of toothpaste should I use? Most people don't give a second thought to the toothpaste that they use on a regular basis. Maybe they use the one their spouse likes and buys. Or maybe they wind up using the toothpaste that their mom or dad bought for them when they were a kid. If it was good enough for me, then it's good enough for me now. Right? Well, not exactly. If it was a quality product, then yes, but it is still a great question to ask, especially as you age and your dental needs become different. When you add in a variable like braces, the question becomes even more important.
So let's look at a couple of important items that you should pay attention to when you are looking for a toothpaste to use while you have braces. First and foremost, you should always buy a toothbrush toothpaste that has fluoride in it. Fluoride has been used for decades in order to help strengthen the enamel of your teeth. The stronger the enamel of your teeth, the fewer problems you're going to have with tooth sensitivity or with cavities. The thing about modern American life, however, is that so many of us are drinking filtered water or bottled water, neither of which contains fluoride. So while our water is freer of chemicals and minerals than normal tap water, it's also true that we're not getting the amount of fluoride that we used to. Again, this is an issue because fluoride helps strengthen the enamel of your teeth. So, by buying a toothpaste with fluoride in it, you're at least helping to get a little bit of fluoride treatment when you brush your teeth. Also, in passing, those fluoride treatments you get at your 6-month check-ups are really important so make sure you go to those!
Another important thing you should think about when it comes to choosing toothpaste is tartar control. Plaque builds up easily along the gum line on a normal day, but when you have braces, it makes it a lot easier for that plaque to build up. Plaque is not good for your teeth, so you will want to find a good tartar control toothpaste as well. There are two things you should be careful with when choosing a tartar control toothpaste, though. One, you have to be careful with abrasives because those tiny little particles that can help get rid of bacteria and debris can also wear down the enamel of your teeth. Two, whitening formulas don't mix well with the materials used to place the brackets on your teeth. It's possible that those whitening substances can react with the brackets cement and discolor your teeth. You definitely don't want that.
Lastly, you might look into a toothpaste designed to care for tooth sensitivity. Sometimes getting braces can bring along a heightened sense of sensitivity toward certain foods and drinks. Using toothpaste that combats sensitivity is a plus.
No matter which toothpaste you choose, make sure the label has that seal that says it's been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). That way you know it's undergone rigorous evaluation for quality. Whichever toothpaste you choose. We hope you find one that works for you: one that keeps your teeth clean and healthy so that when your braces come off and you smile in that mirror you'll love what you see.
If you’d like to learn more about the incredible things Invisalign can do for you and your smile, get in touch with us today to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Larry Majznerski, West Michigan’s first Invisalign Elite Preferred Provider! We can help you achieve the beautiful, healthy smile you deserve.
