A Brief & Helpful Guide for Brushing and Flossing with Braces

If you’re about to get braces or you’ve just begun orthodontic treatment, you probably have a lot on your mind. While the prospect of a straighter and healthier smile might be what’s motivating you, it’s possible that you could also feel a little confused about how to effectively brush and floss your teeth during this process. Here’s a brief guide from your trusted orthodontist to assist you with brushing and flossing as you kick off your braces journey; it’s more straightforward than you may realize!

Brushing Your Teeth with Braces

Here’s a brief guide for effectively brushing your teeth with braces:

1. Rinse your mouth with water prior to brushing to loosen any food lodged around your braces.
2. Lubricate your brush with water, apply toothpaste (it’s recommended that you use one that’s safe for braces) and begin brushing at the gumline at a 45-degree angle.
3. Place the toothbrush on top of the brackets, angling down to brush the top of each bracket. Next, reverse this action and angle the toothbrush upwards to brush the bottom of your brackets and wire.
4. Brush every tooth at the gum line and above and below the brackets. When you’re finished, rinse your mouth thoroughly!

Flossing Your Teeth with Braces

Flossing is just as important as brushing, as it allows you to clear out the spaces in your mouth that your toothbrush cannot reach. Here are some steps to simplify the process if you have braces:

1. You should try to couple your flossing habits with your brushing habits. Floss at least once a day using a waxed variant of dental floss; unwaxed floss can easily become caught in your braces.
2. Remove a strand of about 18 inches (if using traditional floss) and carefully wrap it around your fingers. Thread it under the main wire before passing between two teeth, simply moving it up and down rather than snapping it. Repeat this process for all of your teeth—just be gentle!
3. If you’re still having trouble, you might also consider a floss threader or a water irrigator. These are proven alternatives to traditional floss that are also easier to operate!
4. After flossing, always rinse out your mouth again with water to fully clear away any lingering food particles.

Braces Don’t Exempt You from Oral Hygiene!

At first, it might seem a little daunting to keep your teeth clean after receiving braces; after all, the brackets and wires don’t exactly grant your toothbrush and floss easy access. However, it’s important to note that maintaining excellent oral hygiene is still absolutely necessary during orthodontic treatment—you wouldn’t want to invest all of that time and money into straightening teeth that weren’t healthy and bright!

About the Practice

Here at Simply Orthodontics Holliston, we’re excited to provide an exceptional level of care for all of our patients in the Holliston community! No matter what your orthodontic needs are, Dr. Carlotto, Dr. Alkhoury and our skilled team are capable of assisting you. If you have any questions about the article or you’d like to set up an appointment for you or a family member, feel free to contact us online or over the phone for additional information or assistance! Telephone: (508) 429-7800.