Taking Care Of Braces

In addition to visits with our orthodontists, brushing and flossing is necessary in ensuring great results from your orthodontic treatment. We will instruct you on how to properly brush and floss to keep your smile healthy.

Proper brushing and flossing are essential for ensuring the health and brightness of your smile over your lifetime. Brushing and flossing every day helps prevent dental problems such as tooth decay, periodontal disease, bad breath (halitosis), and discoloration and staining of your teeth.

We recommend brushing your teeth four times a day, two minutes with water and two minutes with toothpaste. Brushing is most effective first thing in the morning, before and after each meal and right before bedtime. We also recommend using an electric or soft bristled toothbrush, replacing every three months, as it becomes less effective over time due to wear.

While brushing your teeth, you should:

• Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle making contact with the bracket and tooth.
• Use small, circular motions and repeat with each tooth.
• Brush every surface of your teeth: the front, the back and all chewing surfaces.
• Do not apply pressure or scrub.
• Brush your tongue to remove any food or debris.
• Prevident should be used once daily before bedtime.

Flossing is an essential part of your daily routine, as it cleans between the teeth and removes debris that can be missed while brushing. Flossing also prevents the development of bacteria that can cause tooth decay, cavities and gum disease.

When you floss, we recommend that you:

• Use a piece of floss that is about 18 inches long.
• Using a floss threader, bring the floss under the wire between the teeth
• Gently move the floss between your teeth, towards the gumline.
• Repeat with each tooth.
• Floss up and down several times to remove any plaque and debris between your teeth.
• Do not floss aggressively, as this can cut your gums.

If you have any questions on how to properly brush and floss during orthodontic treatment, we encourage you to speak with Dr. Schuler, Dr. McShane, or a member of our smile team.

You can also find more information about braces on the American Association of Orthodontists website.