Brushing with braces takes a bit of effort. It definitely won’t be the most fun you have in your day.
But it’s a must.
The Canadian Dental Association confirms good oral hygiene with braces is important. They recommend you brush regularly (as much as you dentist recommends), floss daily, and schedule regular dental visits to keep teeth healthy.
In this blog, I’ll share some oral hygiene techniques you can use to adequately care for your braces. I’ll also provide this information to you in-person, should you decide this orthodontic treatment is right for you. But this way, you can print it and keep it in your washroom should you have to refer back to it.
Proper brushing technique.
- Before you brush, rinse your mouth with water to help loosen food around your braces.
- Brush on top of the brackets in circular motions.
- Then brush underneath the brackets – make sure to get each tooth and the arch wire.
- The third step is to brush above the brackets. While doing so, make sure to brush along the gums.
- Take it slow so you don’t miss a spot.
I recommend you brush three times a day, especially after meals. You can use an electric or manual toothbrush. If it’s your child who has braces, review these steps with them and offer assistance if they need it.
Floss to get in those hard-to-reach places.
- Use Oral B’s Super Floss ™. It’s specifically designed for braces, bridges, and wide spaces. You can find it at your local drug store.
- Take the needle end and place it under the arch wire to floss as you normally would.
- I recommend you do this once a day (preferably before bed). This will prevent your gums from becoming red or inflamed.
A proxy brush can also defend your smile.
- This tool can reach spots in your braces that a regular toothbrush can’t.
- Reach around the brackets, underneath the wire. Slowly work your way to the other side of the bracket.
- When finished, reach the proxy brush above the wire to get the other sides of the bracket.
- Complete these steps on each one of the brackets on both sides.
If, at any time, you have questions about caring for your braces, our Langley dental team is ready to answer your call and welcome you to our practice.
Yours in dental health,
Dr. Paul Dhillon, general dentist in Langley
