Oral hygiene plays a very important role in your body's overall health. That fact cannot be stressed enough, especially when you are wearing braces.
When you've got bands or wires in your mouth, you need to make extra effort to keep not only your teeth but also your braces clean and plaque-free. Usually, you need special products that are specifically designed for cleaning braces and these products are easy to obtain. Just consider them as one of those things - the price you have to pay for having a clean and perfect smile.
Next, you need a container to keep all those products in. We call this container braces cleaning kit and you can either buy one or make one.
If you choose to buy a braces cleaning kit, there is little to worry about. Most braces cleaning kits available in the market come complete with special toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental wax. Some may even include dental floss. The prices range from affordable to expensive and you usually get what you pay for.
However, if you want to be able to choose the individual products that you want in your braces cleaning kit, then you are better off assembling your own. Here's how:
* Find a bag.
Of course, it's a braces cleaning kit, therefore, you need a container of msome sorts to place all your carefully chosen products in.
For girls, a zipper plastic bag or cosmetics bag will do. Your braces cleaning kit should be small enough to place inside your knapsack or your regular bag but big enough to contain all your braces paraphernalia.
For boys, the cosmetics bags do come in black and without handles so you don't have to worry about it looking like a purse. Or, if you want, you can also convert those little "perk" bags given by some airliners into your personal braces cleaning kit.
* What to Get
Of course, a toothbrush is in order. But remember that your braces cleaning kit should not contain just any toothbrush. Find a toothbrush with an angled head and soft bristles. You might need more than one toothbrush. If you want, you can also get those smaller toothbrushes with bristles that can be pushed under the wires for easier cleaning.
Another must-have is a toothpaste. Virtually any toothpaste will do. But if you want something novel for your braces cleaning kit, you can get a toothbrush that is pre-treated with powdered toothpaste. Then, all you have to do is wet the bristles and start brushing. It's great for traveling.
You will also need the following items: dental wax, dental floss, a packet of tissues, a small mirror, interdental picks, folding cup (used to place water in), and breath drops or spray (optional).
