Page 27 - The Regent Digest Volume 14 Issue 01

Millions of teens have either had braces or current-
ly have them. A common issue teenagers deal with

is how to practice good oral hygiene habits with a
brace on.

Getting braces on is an investment in your physical
and emotional health, and you don’t want that to be
jeopardised by poor oral hygiene habits.

One of the top concerns with braces is the white

spots that they can get on the teeth. The white spot
lesions are a decalcification of the enamel.
In other words, the white spot lesions are 100% pre-

ventable, and all it takes to prevent them is having
good oral hygiene.

Here are 4 tips for establishing healthy oral hygiene
habits with braces:
• Create an oral hygiene schedule. Make it as

important a priority as sports practices. Take a
toothpick and run the point around the gum line,

braces, and in between the teeth, gathering up the
plaque.
• Invest in a portable adjustable mirror. This will

help make it easier for you to see what you are
doing when brushing.

• First brush with water only, removing all the vis-
ible plaque, then brush with toothpaste to deliver
the fluoride contained within. Toothpaste is really

only needed for breath freshening.
• Do not forget to floss.
Taking the time to brush with braces to have good

oral hygiene habits is going to be a time well-invest-
ed. Your teeth will be in top shape when the braces
come off.

THE REGENT SECONDARY SCHOOL 27