How should I care for my teeth and braces?
As always, it is extremely important to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly to prevent cavities and gum disease. You can brush effectively with either an electric or a regular toothbrush.
When using a regular toothbrush, place the soft bristles where the gums and teeth meet. Use a circular or small vibrating back-and-forth motion around the gum lines, braces and where you chew. Brush each arch separately, one tooth at a time. Don't forget to brush your tongue and the top of your mouth too. If you use an electric toothbrush you must only position it correctly near the gum lines, around the braces, and where you chew. It will do all the vibrating for you.
Flossing should be done nightly after brushing. Use the floss threader we give you to get the floss between your gums and braces. Flossing will remove the plaque that the toothbrush cannot reach. A Water Pik® can be used after brushing as well. If you want to use one, place on the low pressure setting with warm water and point the water jet toward the gum line and bite.
- Check daily in a mirror to be sure your braces are shiny and your gums are firm. If your gums are sore and/or bleed, rinse them with warm salt water and work harder on your oral hygiene. Swollen, bleeding gums will slow your progress as teeth move more quickly through healthy bone and gums.
- Electric toothbrushes and flossers can be utilized to improve hygiene if manual tooth brushing and/or flossing is not adequate or not being done.
- Regular dental cleanings are even more important with braces. There are more areas where plaque can form and an increased effort is required to keep the teeth, gums, and braces clean. We recommend 3 to 6 month intervals to maintain the health of your teeth and gums while wearing braces. If you are not maintaining good oral hygiene, then we will likely recommend that you have your teeth cleaned every 3 to 4 months.
- If proper oral hygiene is not maintained, then it may become necessary for us to remove your braces. While a more functional occlusion and well aligned teeth are desirable, decaying teeth are unattractive and unhealthy.
Brushing 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.
- Brushing Instructions
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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.
- Flossing Instructions
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Flossing: Step 1
Wind about 18 inches of floss around your fingers as shown. Most of it should be wrapped around one finger, and as the floss is used, the other finger takes it up.
Flossing: Step 2
Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide about one inch of floss between your teeth.
Flossing: Step 3
Holding the floss tightly, gently saw the floss between your teeth. Then curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it beneath your gums.
Flossing: Step 4
Slide the floss up and down, repeating for each tooth.
