Brushing and Flossing With Braces

Brushing and Flossing With Braces in Orlando, FL

Expert Advice on Maintaining Dental Health With Braces

Knowing how to brush and floss with braces is key to maintaining your overall oral and dental health. You may need to make some adjustments to your daily oral hygiene routine in order to accommodate your braces or dental aligners. At Central Florida Orthodontic Specialists, we aim to provide patient education and professional advice to help our patients maintain healthy smiles. We can give you all the instructions you need for brushing and flossing with braces in Orlando, FL. If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, please call us today to schedule a consultation.

The Importance of Dental Hygiene When You Have Braces

Your braces are working hard to guide your teeth into proper alignment so that you have a healthy, beautiful smile. However, food, plaque, and bacteria can become trapped in the metal or ceramic brackets and the wires of your braces, increasing your risk of dental cavities and tooth decay. Brushing and flossing your teeth daily will reduce your risk of oral and dental health issues that could threaten your orthodontic treatment or cause damage to your teeth and gums. Treatment for tooth decay, infection, and gum disease can also halt or slow the progress of your orthodontic treatment.

How to Floss With Braces

Should you floss before or after brushing your teeth? The American Dental Association has found that it does make a difference whether you floss or brush first. We recommend that you floss first, followed by brushing and then mouthwash. This way, if your flossing loosens any food particles, brushing will ensure they are fully removed from your teeth and braces. There is no need to buy specialty braces floss, but waxed dental floss is the best floss for braces. When flossing with braces, thread it carefully underneath the main wire and then pass it between two teeth at a time. Move the floss gently up and down, careful not to snap the floss.

How to Brush Your Teeth With Braces

Knowing how to brush your teeth with braces will set you up for success throughout your orthodontic treatment. Brushing with braces isn’t difficult as long as you have the right tools and are committed to maintaining your oral hygiene routine. We recommend that you brush at least two times each day or after each meal. Before brushing, remove all elastics, bands, or other removable parts from your braces. You should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and hold it at a 45-degree angle from your gum line as you brush. Brush around rather than over your wires and brackets. Try to brush for at least two minutes. After brushing, rinse your mouth and check your braces to make sure there is nothing stuck in them.

Using an Interdental Toothbrush

An interdental toothbrush is a small, specialized brush that can clean between your teeth more effectively than a regular toothbrush. It looks like a very small bottle brush. If you do choose to use an interdental toothbrush, we still recommend that you brush and floss daily. Your interdental toothbrush may be able to reach spaces underneath and around your wires and brackets. We can help you choose the right-sized brush and give you instructions on how to use it effectively. We recommend using it gently to get underneath wires and brackets and between teeth. You do not need to use toothpaste with it.

Choosing the Right Antibacterial Mouthwash

Using an antibacterial mouthwash while you have braces offers even more protection from enamel damage, plaque, tartar, tooth decay, dental cavities, and gum disease. It can also kill the bacteria that cause bad breath. We can help you determine what type of mouthwash is best for you based on your overall dental and oral health, age, and treatment plan.

Should You Use Topical Fluoride?

If your orthodontist or family dentist considers you at a higher risk of tooth decay, they may recommend that you undergo a topical fluoride treatment. They may also recommend using toothpaste or mouthwash with a higher fluoride concentration. Fluoride can protect your tooth enamel and reduce your risk of dental cavities and decay.

Contact Central Florida Orthodontic Specialists to Learn More

Call us today or contact us online if you have any questions about maintaining your oral and dental health during orthodontic treatment. Our specialists are committed to quality patient education and expert advice that will ensure you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. We will advise you on the best methods of brushing and flossing your teeth with braces in Orlando, FL.