Many patients struggle with the decision to get braces. Although your smile will look great when the treatment is over, you may be concerned about “metal mouth.”
Advanced Orthodontic Care is proud to offer several alternatives to traditional braces, including lingual or Incognito™ braces. Unlike traditional appliances, Incognito™ braces are placed on the back of your teeth. This addresses the cosmetic concerns that come with braces attached to the front of your teeth.
However, Incognito™ braces still use brackets and wires, which may present challenges for dental hygiene. If you are concerned about keeping lingual braces clean, Dr. Robert Rudman offers the following tips:
1. Choose the Right Foods
Like with traditional braces, Dr. Rudman will advise you which foods to avoid with your Incognito™ braces. These include:
- Chewing gum
- Taffy
- Hard candies
- Peanuts
- Popcorn
- Hard chips and crackers
- Toasted, chewy, or hard bread products
This is just a partial list. There are also foods that you can still enjoy but should be cut into small slices that are easy to chew. These include apples, corn, carrots, and chewy meats.
By sticking to recommended soft foods, you will reduce the likelihood of damaging wires and brackets behind your teeth. It will also be easier to remove the remnants of food from your Incognito™ braces.
2. Use the Right Tools
Braces may present a challenge when cleaning teeth. However, by adopting healthy habits, you can prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar – and reduce the risk of cavities – between your teeth and around brackets and wires.
An interdental brush is designed to get in the crevices between teeth. Shaped like a toothpick but surrounded by tiny bristles, you can gently work the interdental brush around lingual braces between meals to remove food particles that get stuck in your teeth. The effect is similar to flossing, but it only takes one hand and a fraction of the time!
Nonetheless, routine flossing is a crucial part of dental hygiene when you have Incognito™ braces. This might seem impractical when the metal appliance restricts access to the spaces between teeth, but you can easily overcome this obstacle with a floss threader. Floss threaders make it easy to work floss in between wires and brackets. Oral care companies have also created floss especially intended for braces wearers.
You might also consider investing in a water flosser, both for use when you have braces and for daily care afterward. Oral irrigators flush food particles and other debris from difficult-to-reach spaces. When you have Incognito™ braces, it is generally best to combine use of a water flosser with traditional flossing for a thorough clean.
3. Take the Right Steps
Once you get lingual braces, you are not alone. You will return to our office for multiple followup appointments so Dr. Rudman can check the progress of your orthodontic treatment, make adjustments to the apparatus, and inspect the health of your teeth. Each of these appointments is an excellent opportunity to share any questions or concerns you may have in relation to caring for Incognito™ braces.
You should also maintain appointments for cleanings and exams with your general dentist every six months. The dentist or hygienist will perform a thorough examination of your teeth and clean around the braces. He or she will also provide recommendations for maximizing your dental hygiene with braces.
Learn About Getting Braces Behind Your Teeth
Dr. Rudman founded Advanced Orthodontic Care in 1999. He has been providing high-quality orthodontic treatment for patients throughout the Denver area for 20 years. Although some patients may see the most benefit from traditional braces, Dr. Rudman is happy to discuss Incognito™ braces and other alternatives during your free consultation.
Please call Advanced Orthodontic Care at 303-632-9766 for more information about Incognito™ braces, including cleaning and hygiene. Dr. Rudman serves patients in areas throughout Denver, including Cherry Creek, Stapleton, Downtown, and more.
