It’s more important than ever to brush and floss regularly when you have braces, so the teeth and gums are healthy after orthodontic treatment. Patients who do not keep their teeth clean may require more frequent visits to the dentist for a professional cleaning. Adults who have a history of gum disease should also see a periodontist during orthodontic treatment.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day (morning and night). It is a very good idea to keep a travel toothbrush with you so you can brush after every meal and snack. Additionally, flossing daily is the only way to maintain healthy gums. A proper hygiene routine will help fight plaque, which is composed of food debris and bacteria. Plaque accumulation on your teeth and around the braces can cause swollen gums, bleeding, bad breath, tooth decay, and permanent white marks on your teeth.
How to brush?
- Use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush
- Brush all around the braces and all surfaces of your teeth
- Spend extra time brushing the area between the gums and braces
- Rinse well after brushing
How to floss?
- Floss every night before bedtime
- Try using a floss threader to guide the floss under the archwire easily
- Be patient. You will build up speed as you practice.
Helpful accessory hygiene tools
- Antiseptic dental rinse
- Interproximal toothbrush to clean under your archwire easily
- Waterpik to flush away food debris and plaque in hard-to-reach places
