How to brush your teeth with Braces!

Oral hygiene is always important, but even more so with braces!  Watch our Oral hygiene video and read the information below on how to brush and floss properly with braces.

How to brush your teeth with Braces!

 

Brushing with Braces

Move your toothbrush in a circular motion and turn it in 3 different positions: The top of the braces, the bottom of the braces, and the front of the braces.  Spend at least 30 seconds in each position.  Brush with just enough pressure to get the tips of the bristles under the wire.  Brush from one side to the other several times and then move on to the next position.  Remember to gently brush the gum line too.  The gum line is where your teeth and gums meet.  Brush for at least 2-3 minutes to make sure every surface is clean!  With braces, it’s important to brush after every meal.

 

Flossing with Braces

You’ll need to thread the floss under the archwire.  You can use floss threaders to help you do that!  We provide floss threaders free at our office.  Thread the floss threader under the arch wire.  Gently go between the teeth, hugging the side of each tooth.  You can then remove the floss, and go between every tooth.

ProxaBrush

You can use your proxabrush between the archwire and the braces to help loosen food particles, remove plaque, and stimulate your gums.  To use it just push the brush under the archwire between the brackets.  Make sure to always use the proxabrush gently, as too much pressure could break off a bracket.

Foods to Avoid

Eating the wrong kinds of food can damage your braces.  Avoid any hard and crunchy foods.  Food like hard nuts, jolly ranchers, or chewing ice can brake off brackets.  Another good tip is to cut up fruits and veggies into small size pieces, and put them in your mounth instead of biting into them.  Also avoid any chewy or stick foods such as gummy bears, taffy, and gum.

 

We know you’ll do a great job with your braces!  If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us!

 

To learn more about Ben H. Fishbein, DDS, CAGS and Fishbein Orthodontics and the orthodontic treatment available for children, teens, and adults using braces, Invisalign, and Incognito, please visit: https://emeraldcoastbraces.com or call (850) 477-1089.