Orthodontic Homecare

BRUSHING

The first thing to consider when cleaning your teeth is that there are three surfaces of each tooth that need to be brushed. These surfaces are the outside, inside, and chewing surface of each tooth.

The chewing surfaces of the teeth are the easiest areas to brush. However, when brushing the outside and inside of your teeth, you should try to make a forty-five-degree angle toward the gum line between the head of your toothbrush and the tooth itself. Try to focus on a few teeth at a time. Make sure these teeth are completely free of food and plaque before focusing your attention to other teeth.

It is especially important to make sure the area between the brace and the gum line stays clean.

FLOSSING

Flossing with braces takes time and patience but the effort is well worth it.

The first step to flossing is getting the floss under the archwire that connects the braces together. We’ll supply you with a floss threader to aid you in guiding the floss under the wire. Waxed floss can also aid and simplify your flossing process. Once the floss is under the archwire, you will slide it down and around each tooth at least 2 times to ensure plaque build up has been removed. You’ll then repeat this process between each tooth until completed.

Be careful not to put pressure on the wire as you move the floss up and down.