It is very important to brush and floss after every meal to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment. We recommend using an electric toothbrush, floss threaders or Superfloss and a Waterpik. We also recommend a fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash to prevent cavities.
Brushing with Braces
Brush your teeth for three minutes after every meal using a fluoridated toothpaste. 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, especially between the braces and the gumline.
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 the wire and between the teeth. 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 are having a hard time removing all of the food particles between your teeth and around your braces, a Waterpik is a great tool to help.