Proper oral hygiene is always important, but it is especially critical for people with traditional braces. Failure to adequately clean your teeth greatly increases the risk that plaque and food particles will accumulate around your brackets and wires. Cavities, gum disease, dental discoloration, and other issues may result. Fortunately, brushing and flossing with braces is relatively easy and simple once you get the routine down. In this blog post, we provide practical guidance on how to keep a clean mouth while you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Brushing with Braces
For effective brushing with braces, you should:
- Brush more often than normal. Your orthodontist might recommend that you brush in the morning, after lunch, after dinner, and before bed.
- Carefully clean around the brackets. Angle the brush slightly downward to clean the tops of your brackets, then angle it upward to clean their bottoms.
- Don’t forget your gumline. As always, you should brush along your gumline, both on the inside and outside surfaces of your teeth.
- Choose the right toothbrush. Your orthodontist might recommend a specific type of toothbrush. Many patients find that a brush designed for braces, or an electric brush with a round head, works well.
Flossing with Braces
You should continue to floss at least once a day when you have braces. You may have to use a floss threader to get floss under your arch wire in order to clean your teeth. Floss threaders are inexpensive, disposable tools that you can pick up at virtually any pharmacy.
Your orthodontist or dentist might advise you to use an interdental brush instead of or in addition to floss. An interdental brush is a very small toothbrush that can clean beneath your arch wire and between your teeth. Interdental brushes come in varying sizes, so you might need to ask your orthodontic team which size is right for you.
You might also choose to invest in a water flosser, also called an oral irrigator. This type of device uses a concentrated stream of water to clean between the teeth. Although it isn’t a substitute for regular flossing, it can be a valuable part of your oral cleaning routine.
Settling into Your Oral Hygiene Routine with Braces
It may take a while to adjust to your oral hygiene routine with braces. If you ever have questions about how to properly clean your teeth, feel free to reach out for help. Your orthodontic team, as well as your general dentist and their hygienists, are very knowledgeable about proper techniques. As long as you are consistent and thorough with brushing and flossing, you can expect to maintain a healthy smile throughout your time with braces.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Amin Mason and the team at Polaris Orthodontic Center are proud to provide a wide range of orthodontic treatments, including traditional braces, clear aligners, and more. If you have questions about what to expect with braces, they would be pleased to talk with you. Contact us at 614-781-6990.
