Braces are a tried-and-true method for creating a healthy, beautiful smile, but they can make brushing and flossing seem like a challenge! How do you brush and floss with braces?
Good oral hygiene with braces may seem daunting at first, but with the right tools, you can keep your smile sparkling throughout your treatment! Fergus Orthodontics has a few tips and tricks to keep your great oral hygiene habits on track while we create your new smile!
Brushing With Braces
What are the best tools for brushing with braces? It may take more than a typical manual toothbrush to keep your teeth as clean as possible. Here are a few tips to make brushing with braces easier.
Use an Electric Toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes offer many advantages for braces. Many have rounded heads or ends that can spin around your braces brackets and dislodge plaque and food particles from hard-to-reach areas that may be missed with a manual toothbrush. Some even offer toothbrush heads specifically made for braces.
Electric toothbrushes have other advantages. Many have colored bristles that fade to remind you to change out the toothbrush head every few months. This is especially important with braces because frayed toothbrush heads won’t clean around your braces as well as a toothbrush head with straight bristles.
Be sure to use a soft-bristle toothbrush head to keep from damaging your braces or irritating your teeth and gums.
Use a Proximal Brush
A proximal brush, also known as an interdental brush, is a small, spiral brush that can slip between your teeth and around braces, brackets, and braces wires. A proximal brush can reach areas your toothbrush may not reach.
Leaving plaque around braces brackets can lead to white spots on teeth, so it’s important to brush well around your brackets. If you’re having trouble cleaning your brackets with your toothbrush alone, a proximal brush may be the perfect solution.
Flossing With Braces
Flossing with braces may seem even trickier than brushing with braces. How are you supposed to get dental floss between your teeth with all those wires and brackets in the way? With the right tools, flossing around braces is easier than you think!
Floss Threaders for Braces
The easiest way to get dental floss around braces is to use floss threaders. There are two main types of floss threaders, and either one will work well.
The first type of floss threader is a thin piece of plastic in the shape of a needle with an extra-large eye. The floss is threaded through the eye, and the floss threader slides over or under your braces wires and through your teeth. Then floss your teeth like normal and thread through the next set of teeth.
The second type of floss threader has the dental floss already attached. The floss threader is a thin plastic piece at the end of the dental floss. Simply push the floss threader between your teeth and pull the dental floss through.
Dental floss is by far the best way to floss your teeth and should be used at least once a day. But another tool can help you floss your teeth and even remove particles from around your braces brackets.
Water Flossers With Braces
Water flossers, such as a Waterpik, can be used to floss between teeth in addition to dental floss. Water flossers lack the scrubbing power of dental floss, so they shouldn’t be used as a substitute.
Some water flossers include specialized orthodontic heads. They will clean around your braces brackets and under wires, in addition to cleaning between teeth.
Other Tips for Keeping Braces Clean
Diligent brushing and flossing will go a long way to keep your braces clean and your teeth and gums healthy. However, there are a few more tips we can offer to ensure you have the best oral health.
- Brush every surface of your teeth, gums, and braces. It isn’t enough to just brush the front of your teeth and braces brackets. Be sure to get every surface, including around brackets, under wires, and over gums.
- Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride strengthens your enamel and helps prevent decalcification that can cause white spots on teeth and tooth decay. If your municipality adds fluoride to tap water, be sure to drink tap water instead of bottled water, which lacks fluoride.
- Don’t eat or drink for half an hour after brushing. Waiting half an hour gives your saliva time to interact with the fluoride, providing maximum protection for your tooth enamel.
- Use mouthwash. Most commercial mouthwashes contain antibacterial ingredients that kill bacteria that cause plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease. Some even include fluoride. As with toothpaste, wait half an hour after using fluoride mouthwash before eating or drinking.
- Don’t use whitening toothpaste. Whitening toothpaste can’t penetrate the bonding agent holding your braces brackets on your teeth. The result could be white teeth with dark centers once your braces come off. Wait until your braces treatment is complete before using any whitening agent on your teeth.
- Rinse after eating or drinking. If you can’t brush or floss after a meal or snacks, rinse your mouth with plain water or tap water. It will help reduce food particles and plaque on and in your teeth and braces. The tap water may also add a bit of fluoride to your enamel.
FAQs About Brushing With Braces
What if I get a cavity with braces?
We may need to remove your archwires, or even a bracket or band, to repair your tooth, which can delay your treatment. That’s why it’s important to keep brushing and flossing throughout your treatment.
Should I still see a dentist during braces treatment?
Absolutely. Your dentist may spot early signs of tooth decay or gum disease and can help you stop it before it becomes a problem for your treatment.
Can I use a manual toothbrush with braces?
An electric toothbrush may work better, but a manual toothbrush will do the job as well. Just be sure to change it out every few months so the bristles stay sturdy and effective.
Is unwaxed or waxed dental floss better for braces?
Either type of dental floss will work to clean around your braces. Dental floss is waxed to help it slide more easily between teeth without fraying. If you prefer unwaxed dental floss, that is fine to use as well.
Braces Treatment in Jonesboro, AR
Brushing and flossing with braces may seem challenging at first, but with the right tools, your teeth and gums will stay clean and healthy. Fergus Orthodontics is always here to help you learn the best way to brush and floss around your braces, just in case you need more instruction.
If you need a little help with your braces, or if you’re ready to start your braces journey in Jonesboro, AR, schedule an appointment with Fergus Orthodontics today!
