BRUSHING AND FLOSSING

Brushing your teeth with braces isn’t really any different from brushing without braces. You’ll simply have to increase the frequency when wearing braces, which means brushing your teeth in the morning, after eating meals and sugary snacks and before going to sleep at night. This will help you keep cavities and stains at bay and also remove food remnants.

Make sure you brush every surface of the teeth. Angle your toothbrush in the direction of the gums and gently wiggle it back and forth moving the bristles between the wires and brackets. Also, lightly brush along the gum line. Do this for about two minutes per brushing session. Swap out your toothbrush for a new one every three months.

We know you don’t have your toothbrush on your person every second of the day, so if you’re in a pinch be sure to rinse your mouth after snacking. While this isn’t a stand-in for brushing, rinsing with water will wash away sugar and debris to keep your mouth healthy. Just remember to brush when you get home.

Flossing with braces can be slightly tricky but it’s crucial. Flossing targets areas that your toothbrush just can’t reach so be sure to floss at least once daily. Use a floss threader to work the floss under the wire before moving it between two teeth. Push the floss against the side of one tooth and slide it up and down and then against the side of the other and repeat. When complete, move on to the adjacent pair of teeth. You’ll get the hang of using a floss threader fairly quickly so don’t worry if it feels awkward at first.

When you’re done brushing and flossing, rinse your mouth with water and check your teeth in the mirror. They should look healthy and feel nice and clean.