Brushing and Flossing
Cleaning your teeth and braces by flossing after each meal can help you finish your orthodontic treatment on schedule. Using a floss threader or orthodontic floss is the best way to floss while wearing braces. Keep a few inches of taut floss in between your fingers by wrapping the ends of the floss around them. When flossing, use a back and forth motion to gently move the floss between the teeth. Plaque and food particles may be removed from between the teeth by using a piece of floss to clean the sides of each tooth. Once you’ve flossed all of your teeth, repeat this procedure. Ask us about a water flosser if your floss isn’t removing all of the food particles from your teeth and braces.
Brushing with Braces
Brush your teeth for two minutes after every meal with a soft-bristled, small-headed toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. As an alternative, you can use a powered toothbrush to increase your brushing effectiveness. Brush the outside and inside surfaces of your teeth using small, gentle, circular motions while positioning the head of the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line. Brush your teeth’s chewing surfaces and the inside surface of your front teeth using short, gentle, back-and-forth motions. Pay close attention to the areas around your brackets or other appliances.
Flossing with Braces
Flossing after every meal will help keep your teeth and braces clean, which will also help keep your treatment time on track. To floss with braces, use a floss threader or special orthodontic floss to thread the floss behind each wire. Wrap the ends of the floss around your pointer fingers of both hands, leaving a few inches of taut floss between them. Gently slide the floss between each set of teeth using a back and forth motion. Floss the sides of each tooth beneath the gum line to remove plaque and food particles. Repeat this process until you’ve flossed all of your teeth. If you find that your floss is not removing all of the food particles between your teeth and around your braces, ask us about a water flosser!
