Smile Care
Hygiene Habits
Oral hygiene is an important part of your orthodontic treatment plan. If you have braces, it is important to learn the best way to brush and floss. A proper oral hygiene routine will keep your gums and teeth healthy during treatment.
Brushing
The doctor recommends that you brush your teeth following each meal to ensure that there are no tiny pieces of food left behind in your mouth. We recommend purchasing a soft-bristled toothbrush and using circular motions to brush your teeth. Be sure to include the surfaces between your gums and brackets. To target those areas, we recommend tilting the bristles away from your gums. If you have trouble removing all of the food particles, you may find a proxy brush or water pick helpful.
A proxy brush can be used to push out any lingering food particles, water picks are also a great investment!
Flossing
Initially, flossing with braces may seem like an arduous task because you now have a wire between your teeth the floss. There’s an easy way to get around this, just slip the floss under the wire! You can then floss normally, just be sure to apply light force to avoid damaging your braces. You will get used to flossing with braces in no time at all!
For more valuable suggestions, head to the tutorial videos below!
Tutorials
Take a few minutes to explore the videos below and learn more about the proper oral care with braces!
Foods to Avoid
Brushing Technique
Flossing with Super Floss
Wax for Brackets
