The best way to ensure a clean and healthy smile is to brush and floss
regularly.
Food particles can accumulate on teeth and in braces, and over time turn
into plaque. The bacteria that results from this accumulation can lead
to gum disease, tooth decay, and even loss of teeth. To avoid these problems
while you are in orthodontic treatment, take special care of your braces,
teeth, and gums to ensure you will have the best possible result.
BRUSHING
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small strip of fluoride toothpaste.
When you brush your teeth, move the brush in small, circular motions to
reach food particles that may be under your gum line. Hold the toothbrush
at an angle and brush slowly and carefully, covering all areas between
teeth, between braces, and the surface of each tooth. It will take you
several minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Brush up on the lower
teeth, down on the upper teeth, and the outside, inside, and chewing surface
of your front and back teeth. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth
before you rinse.
Especially
during orthodontic treatment, brush your teeth four times daily to avoid
the accumulation of food particles in your teeth and braces:
• In the morning after breakfast
• After lunch or right after school
• After supper
• At bedtime
You will need to replace your toothbrush more often due to your appliances.
As soon as the bristles start to wear down or fray, replace your toothbrush
with a new one. It may be difficult for your toothbrush to reach some
areas under your archwire. Do not swallow any toothpaste; rinse your mouth thoroughly with water
after you have finished brushing. It is important to floss
and use an antibacterial mouthwash and fluoride treatment throughout your
orthodontic treatment and beyond for optimal oral hygiene.
FLOSSING
For areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach, use dental
floss to remove food particles and plaque. Flossing takes more time and
patience when you are wearing braces, but it is important to floss your
teeth every day.
Use
the reuseable floss threader provided by our office to floss under your
archwire daily. Pull a small length of floss from the dispenser through
the threader and slide it up and down along the front of each tooth. You
will be able to feel when the tooth is clean and hear the squeak of the
floss against your clean teeth. Use care around your archwire and do not
floss too forcefully around it or put too much pressure on it. After you
floss between your archwire and braces, floss between your other teeth
and gums.
If
you are flossing without the floss threader, pull a small length of floss
from the dispenser. Wrap the ends of the floss tightly around your middle
fingers. Guide the floss between all teeth to the gum line, pulling out
food particles or plaque. Unwrap clean floss from around your fingers
as you go, so that you have used the floss from beginning to end when
you finish. Floss behind all of your back teeth.
Floss at night to make sure your teeth are clean before you go to bed.
When you first begin flossing around your braces, your gums may bleed
a little. If the bleeding does not go away after the first few times,
inform a staff member at your next appointment.
