If you’ve just started wearing braces, you’re probably looking forward to having a straighter and more uniform smile in the future; however, you have to ensure that your teeth are healthy when you reach the finish line! The bottom line is that braces straighten your teeth—they don’t protect them from cavities, decay, or other types of issues. This means that brushing and flossing the correct way while you have braces is in your best interest. Here are some tips to help you out!

Tips for Brushing with Braces

Brushing with braces can be a bit of a process at first, but with a little practice, you’ll have it mastered in no time at all. Consider these tips to help you out:

• Rinse with water before you begin; this will help to dislodge any food particles trapped in your braces.
• Using a brush designed for braces, start brushing at the gumline at a 45-degree angle. Place the toothbrush on top of the brackets, angling down to brush each of them.
• Next, reposition to carefully brush the bottoms of the brackets and wires. Brush every tooth above the gumline and below the brackets to remove plaque and food debris.
• Be sure that you’re brushing for a full two minutes each time, and brush after each meal.

Tips for Flossing with Braces

Flossing might seem like a daunting task, given the real estate that the brackets and wires occupy inside of your mouth. However, these tips can help you do things the correct way:

• Floss on a daily basis, rinsing with water beforehand to dislodge food particles.
• Consider using a floss threader to make things easier; you might also consider using a water flosser (oral irrigator), which relies on a pressurized stream of water to gently clean debris from teeth.
• If using traditional floss, take about 18 inches and carefully thread it under the main wire of the braces before passing between two teeth; remove it and re-thread as needed, working your way across each arch. Be sure not to snap the floss!

Of course, it doesn’t fall entirely on you to keep your teeth clean while you have braces; also attending your regular checkup appointments will ensure that your treatment stays on track and you’re in ideal oral health! In any case, knowing how to floss and brush properly at home is incredibly wise—while you have braces, and also beyond.

About the Practice

Our team here at Simply Orthodontics Derry & Hudson is thrilled to provide an exceptional level of orthodontic care for patients and families in the Derry and Hudson communities! We offer a wide range of services including traditional braces to help you achieve a beautifully straight smile! If you have questions about cleaning your teeth with braces, or you need to schedule your next visit, don’t hesitate to contact our practice today for further assistance!