Proper Brushing While Wearing Braces

Long Beach, CA – When wearing braces, one of the most important things to know is how to properly brush your teeth with the braces on. The brackets and wires create nooks and crannies where food particles and plaque adhere, and these areas can often be heard to reach.

I advise my orthodontic patients to brush as often as possible, but especially in the morning, after meals and before bedtime. Pack a travel toothbrush and toothpaste in your school or work bag so one will always be accessible. If you aren’t in a position where you can brush after eating, be sure to drink plenty of water to help rinse away the small particles that remain.

Paying close attention to brushing and flossing during orthodontic treatment is crucial to prevent white spots from developing on your teeth once the braces are removed. If you allow plaque to build up, the bacteria within the plaque can begin to decalcify the teeth, appearing as unsightly white spots.

To ensure a healthy smile when your braces come off, here are my top tips for brushing with braces.

1. Rinse your mouth with water before brushing. This will help to wash away food particles, as well as dislodge any that may be stuck in our around your braces.
2. Using a fluoride toothpaste, start by brushing at your gum line. For best results, hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle. Thoroughly brush the gum line, then move to the brackets. Angle the brush down to clean the top of each bracket, then move to brush the bottom of the bracket and the wire. Take your time, being sure to carefully brush each tooth thoroughly.
3. Invest in an electric toothbrush. The vibrations the electric toothbrush gives off can help to loosen plaque and debris, and the rotation of the brush’s head can be more effective than a manual brush.
4. wire. The best solution to clean these hard to reach areas is using a proxibrush. This thin-bristled brush slides easily underneath the wire to clean up any plaque or food you may have missed. Because of its small size, it’s easy to store a spare proxibrush in a purse, bookbag or even pocket for on-the-go use!
5. Floss, floss, floss! Even the best tooth brusher can’t reach all areas of the mouth with just a toothbrush. The areas between your teeth and at your gum line are susceptible to decay because your toothbrush can’t reach those areas. Flossing with braces can be difficult, as you’ll need to thread the floss under the wires of your braces. A floss threader can make it much easier.
6. Think about using a Waterpik. A Waterpik sprays a stream of water between your teeth and at your gum line. The strength of the spray works to dislodge any debris that might remain. Combined with brushing and flossing, a Waterpik can leave your mouth feeling cleaner than ever.
7. Replace your toothbrush at least every 3 months. You may find while in braces that you need to replace your toothbrush a bit more often to make sure it is still effective.

It’s also important to maintain your regular check-ups with your dentist. If we notice your oral hygiene isn’t as good as it should be, we will work with you to improve your understanding of how to properly brush and give you the tips and tools you need to be successful. We want to ensure you have a healthy, beautiful smile that you can’t wait to show off at the end of treatment!