How to Brush & Floss Your Teeth With Braces

A Message from the team of Renova Dental

Braces are an investment in your smile, but they come with their own set of challenges, especially when it comes to maintaining oral hygiene. As braces work their magic on aligning your teeth, they also make it easier for plaque and food particles to get trapped, increasing the risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. So, how do you ensure that your teeth stay healthy and your braces work effectively throughout your treatment?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about brushing and flossing with braces. We’ll also highlight the best toothbrushes, toothpaste, and tips for taking care of your braces to ensure you get the most out of your orthodontic journey.

Why Oral Hygiene With Braces Is Essential

Braces create dental challenges because they capture food particles and plaque, which bacteria use to grow in the areas between brackets and wires. The areas require correct brushing together with flossing to prevent them from developing into cavities and gum disease. Your orthodontist needs to pause or modify your braces because your dental problems stem from your inadequate oral care.

The process requires you to establish suitable dental care practices that protect your teeth from developing problems throughout your braces treatment period.

How to Brush With Braces

Brushing with braces requires extra care to clean around the brackets and wires. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:

1. Begin your oral hygiene process by performing a mouth rinse procedure. You should rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash to eliminate all unfastened particles before you start your brushing session.
   
2. Select an appropriate toothbrush by choosing either a soft-bristled toothbrush that has been specifically created for braces or an electric toothbrush. The bristles should be gentle enough not to damage your braces but effective at cleaning.
3. You should position the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gums and use it to brush your teeth. You should start brushing your teeth at the top of the brackets and brush downwards and upwards until you reach all areas that surround each bracket.
4. The gumline requires your complete attention because this area serves as a primary gathering point for food particles, which can lead to gum disease.
5. You should brush the upper part of each tooth to remove any food particles that might be hiding there.
6. You need to brush your teeth’s inner surfaces because food and plaque will build up on those areas.

Make sure to brush for at least two minutes, twice a day, to keep your teeth and braces in optimal condition.

How to Floss With Braces

People with braces face more difficulties when they try to floss their teeth, but they need this practice to eliminate plaque and food debris that builds up between their teeth. Here’s how to do it effectively:

1. The wire of braces makes conventional flossing difficult, so people should use a floss threader. The floss threader serves as a small device that enables users to direct dental floss for use between their teeth and beneath their dental braces.
2. Gently move the floss between your teeth. Once the floss is in place, gently move it up and down to remove plaque and food particles. Avoid snapping the floss or pulling too hard, as this can damage your braces.
3. Floss each tooth. Make sure to floss every tooth, including the back ones, to keep your gums healthy and free of plaque.
4. Consider orthodontic floss. Special orthodontic floss, designed for braces, is thicker and stronger, making it easier to maneuver around your wires.

Flossing once a day is essential to prevent plaque buildup and maintain healthy gums throughout your treatment.

Best Toothbrush for Braces

Choosing the right toothbrush can make a big difference in your oral hygiene routine. Here are some top recommendations:

An electric toothbrush is ideal for people with braces, as it provides consistent, powerful cleaning. However, if you prefer manual brushing, make sure to choose a toothbrush with soft, angled bristles to reach the tough spots around your brackets.

Best Toothpaste for Braces

When you have braces, you need toothpaste that helps prevent cavities, fights plaque, and strengthens enamel. Here are some top picks:

• Fluoride toothpaste – Fluoride helps remineralize enamel and protect against cavities, which is essential when you have braces.
• Tartar control toothpaste – Tartar buildup can cause yellowing of your teeth, so using a tartar control toothpaste can keep your teeth looking clean and bright.
• Non-whitening toothpaste – Avoid whitening toothpaste, as it can cause uneven whitening once your braces are removed.

Make sure to use fluoride toothpaste to protect your enamel and ensure your teeth stay healthy throughout your treatment.

How to Care for Braces

Cleaning your teeth and taking good care of your braces are equally crucial. To prevent problems with your braces, heed these suggestions:

• Steer clear of hard and sticky foods as they may cause damage to your braces and become lodged in the wires.
  
• Look for any loose wires or brackets. Check your braces for problems on a regular basis. Get in touch with your orthodontist as soon as you see anything broken or loose.
• Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or any other activity that could injure your mouth to prevent damage to your braces.

Oral Hygiene With Braces: Additional Tips

1. Mouthwash – Use an antimicrobial mouthwash to help kill bacteria and freshen your breath.
2. Water flosser – A water flosser can be a great alternative to traditional flossing, especially for hard-to-reach areas.
3. Regular orthodontic checkups – Don’t skip your orthodontic appointments. Regular checkups help monitor your progress and catch any issues early.

Conclusion

Proper brushing and flossing with braces is essential for maintaining optimal oral health during your treatment. The steps in this guide, together with the appropriate products, will help you maintain a healthy and bright smile throughout your orthodontic treatment. If you want expert dental treatment and professional advice, contact Renova Dental to book your consultation. Our team exists to assist you in achieving your ideal smile.