Adjusting your oral care routine to manage braces—cleaning carefully around brackets, bands, and wires—is essential for a healthy smile. Keeping orthodontic appliances clean prevents plaque buildup that can lead to gum irritation and cavities. Without a dedicated hygiene routine, inflammation and tooth decay can develop quickly.
Mastering the right brushing and flossing techniques with braces will keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your orthodontic journey. Everyone’s habits vary, but here are some helpful guidelines to get you started:
Brushing
Brushing thoroughly and regularly is crucial once braces are in place. Ideally, brush after every snack to stop plaque from settling. If that’s not possible, aim for at least four times daily, including:
- After breakfast
- After lunch
- After dinner
- Before bedtime
Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and check bristles often since braces can wear them down faster than usual. Use a fluoride toothpaste applied in a small strip on the brush. Remember, each tooth has multiple surfaces to clean: the fronts facing outward, the sides touching neighboring teeth, and the chewing surfaces.
When brushing the front teeth, angle the brush at 45 degrees toward the gum line. Use gentle circular motions moving from top to bottom and then bottom to top. Avoid pressing too hard on wires or brackets to prevent damage. For the inside surfaces, maintain the same 45-degree angle and brush carefully. The backs of the teeth can be brushed normally.
Next, use a proxabrush (often called a Christmas tree brush) to clean between pairs of brackets. Insert it gently and move up and down until those spaces are free from plaque. Finish by rinsing with mouthwash to flush out lingering bacteria.
Flossing
Flossing is just as vital. Food and plaque trapped around braces fuel bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth loss. Flossing around braces takes extra time but should be done multiple times daily.
Use floss threaders or wrap floss around your fingers as usual. Slide floss beneath the archwire of your braces, then move it up and down along each tooth’s surface. Be gentle to avoid damaging brackets or wires.
Move the floss down from the gum line toward the tooth’s base using a gentle sawing motion, then repeat from the base back up to the gum line. You might notice a little bleeding at first—this is normal. But if it continues for several days, please reach out to your dental care provider.
If you have any questions or need personalized advice on brushing and flossing with braces, don’t hesitate to contact McBee Family Dentistry in Fairmont, WV -. We’re here to help you keep your smile bright and healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment.