How to Maintain Oral Hygiene During Six Month Smiles® Treatment

Are you considering Six Month Smiles treatment to achieve your dream smile? Dr. Jacob Sheppard at Sycamore Family Dentistry in Midlothian, VA is here to help you on your journey. As you embark on this transformative orthodontic experience, it's crucial to prioritize your oral hygiene to ensure a healthy mouth throughout the process. In this blog, we will explore how to maintain oral hygiene during Six Month Smiles treatment.

What is Six Month Smiles treatment?

Before delving into oral hygiene practices, let's briefly discuss what Six Month Smiles treatment entails. Six Month Smiles is a revolutionary orthodontic treatment that combines clear aligners and clear braces to correct dental issues such as gaps between teeth, misaligned teeth, overcrowding, and slightly crooked teeth. This innovative approach focuses on the top and lower rows of the front teeth, providing efficient results in a shorter period compared to traditional braces or other orthodontic treatments.

Why is oral hygiene important during Six Month Smiles treatment?

Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for everyone, but it becomes even more crucial during orthodontic treatment. With Six Month Smiles, food particles and plaque can accumulate around the brackets and wires, making it challenging to clean your teeth properly. Neglecting your oral hygiene can lead to gum inflammation and cavities, and even prolong your treatment time. Therefore, it's vital to implement a thorough oral care routine to keep your mouth healthy throughout the treatment process.

Brushing and flossing: Your daily allies

During Six Month Smiles treatment, brushing and flossing your teeth become paramount to keep your mouth in optimal condition. Brushing your teeth after every meal or at least twice a day can help prevent plaque buildup and is important for your dental health. Before consuming food, it is crucial to remove your clear aligners to ensure their cleanliness and prevent any potential damage. To properly maintain your clear braces, it is necessary to be meticulous during the cleaning process. Pay close attention to the brackets and wires to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned.

Flossing is equally important and should be done at least once a day. Use a floss threader or a specialized orthodontic floss to navigate around the teeth and braces to remove any trapped food particles or plaque. Dr. Sheppard can guide proper brushing and flossing techniques specific to your Six Month Smiles treatment.

The role of dental cleanings

In addition to your daily routine, you should schedule regular dental cleanings with Dr. Sheppard every six months or as recommended to remove any plaque or tartar buildup that may be difficult to reach with regular brushing and flossing. By prioritizing your oral health and getting regular cleanings, you can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems. These cleanings also provide an opportunity for your dentist to monitor the progress of your Six Month Smiles treatment and make any necessary adjustments.

Prioritize your oral health today

Maintaining oral hygiene during your Six Month Smiles treatment is vital to achieving the smile you desire while ensuring a healthy mouth. By following a diligent routine of brushing and flossing, as well as attending regular dental cleanings with Dr. Jacob Sheppard at Sycamore Family Dentistry in Midlothian, VA, you can enjoy optimal oral health throughout your orthodontic journey. Contact us to learn more about straightening your teeth in as little as six months with Six Month Smiles.