Brushing and Flossing Your Teeth with Braces
When you have braces, it’s very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your treatment. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and your appliance.
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How to brush?
- Use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush
- Brush all around the braces and all surfaces of your teeth
- Spend extra time brushing the area between the gums and braces
- Rinse well after brushing
Here is a great video that shows how to brush and floss:
Brushing Instructions
Brushing: Step 1
Place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gum.
Brushing: Step 2
Brush gently in a circular motion.
Brushing: Step 3
Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
Brushing: Step 4
Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth.
How to floss?
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- Floss every night before bedtime
- Try using a floss threader to guide the floss under the archwire easily
- Be patient. You will build up speed as you practice
Flossing Instructions
Flossing: Step 1
Using a piece of floss about 18 inches long, carefully thread the end between braces and wire. You may find a floss threader helpful.
Flossing: Step 2
Carefully floss around the braces.
Flossing: Step 3
Carefully floss around the gum areas.
Flossing: Step 4
Carefully floss around each tooth.
Helpful accessory hygiene tools
- Antiseptic dental rinse
- Interproximal toothbrush to clean under your archwire easily
- Waterpik to flush away food debris and plaque in hard-to-reach places. Follow the link below to learn more about Waterpik waterflosser: https://youtu.be/NJGyii47Wow
