Brushing and Flossing with Braces

Braces are a powerful tool in orthodontics, designed to correct misalignment and improve the appearance and function of your teeth. However, wearing braces requires a heightened level of oral care to maintain optimal dental health. At Carroll Orthodontics in Hamilton and Stevensville, Montana, Dr. Keldon Carroll emphasizes the importance of proper brushing and flossing techniques for patients with braces.

Why Proper Oral Hygiene is Crucial with Braces

Braces create additional surfaces in the mouth where food particles and plaque can accumulate. These surfaces include brackets, wires, and bands, all of which can trap debris and bacteria. Without meticulous oral hygiene, this buildup can lead to plaque formation, tooth decay, gum disease, and staining around the brackets. Maintaining proper brushing and flossing routines is essential to avoid these complications and ensure that your teeth and braces function effectively throughout your treatment.

Brushing with Braces: Step-by-Step Instructions

Brushing your teeth with braces requires extra care and attention to detail. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you effectively clean your teeth and braces:

Choose the Right Toothbrush:

• Soft-Bristled Toothbrush: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging your braces and gums. An orthodontic toothbrush or an electric toothbrush with a soft brush head can be beneficial.
• Interdental Brush: Consider using an interdental brush to clean between the brackets and wires more effectively.

Prepare Your Toothpaste:

• Fluoride Toothpaste: Use fluoride toothpaste to help protect your teeth against cavities and strengthen enamel. Avoid abrasive or whitening toothpastes, as they can damage the braces and cause uneven whitening.

Brush at the Right Angles:

• Start with the Outer Surfaces: Position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line and gently brush the outer surfaces of the brackets and teeth. Move the brush in small, circular motions.
• Clean the Inner Surfaces: Tilt the toothbrush to reach the inner surfaces of your teeth and brackets. Be thorough, as this area can be challenging to clean effectively.
• Brush the Chewing Surfaces: Brush the tops of your teeth where you chew. Ensure you brush each tooth’s chewing surface to remove food particles and plaque.
• Focus on the Brackets and Wires: Pay extra attention to the brackets and wires. Gently brush around each bracket to remove plaque buildup and prevent staining.

Rinse Thoroughly:

• After brushing, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water to remove any remaining toothpaste and debris.

Check Your Work:

• Visual Inspection: Use a mirror to check for any missed spots or areas that may need additional cleaning. Ensure that all surfaces around the brackets and wires are clean.

Brush After Every Meal:

• Aim to brush your teeth after every meal or snack to remove food particles and reduce the risk of plaque buildup.

Flossing with Braces: Essential Techniques

Flossing is equally important as brushing when you have braces. Flossing helps clean between the teeth and around the brackets where a toothbrush may not reach. Here’s how to floss effectively with braces:

Choose the Right Floss:

• Orthodontic Floss: Use orthodontic floss or floss threaders designed for braces. These products are designed to navigate around braces and wires more easily.
• Waxed Floss: Waxed floss can slide more smoothly between your teeth and reduce the risk of shredding.

Use a Floss Threader:

• Insert the Threader: Thread the floss through the threader and gently insert the threader between the wires and brackets.
• Guide the Floss: Carefully guide the floss behind the wire and between your teeth. Avoid snapping or forcing the floss, as this can damage the braces or gums.

Floss Each Tooth:

• Wrap and Slide: Wrap the ends of the floss around your fingers to hold it securely. Slide the floss gently between each pair of teeth, making a C-shape around each tooth.
• Clean the Tooth Surface: Gently move the floss up and down to clean the surface of each tooth and remove any trapped food particles.

Floss Around the Brackets:

• Be Thorough: Make sure to floss around each bracket and wire. This helps prevent plaque buildup and maintains the health of your gums.

Rinse After Flossing:

• Use Mouthwash: After flossing, rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash to kill bacteria and freshen your breath.

Floss Daily:

• Consistency: Aim to floss at least once a day, preferably before bedtime, to ensure that your teeth and braces remain clean and healthy.