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Getting the best results from braces takes some teamwork between you and your orthodontist. While you’re wearing traditional wire braces, one of your most important tasks is to keep your teeth really clean by brushing and flossing regularly – yet all the bands and wires can make that a bit harder to do. Here are some tips and techniques that can help you keep your teeth and braces clean and decay-free and your gums healthy, while your braces are gradually moving you toward a great-looking smile.
Basic brushing techniques for braces
With or without braces, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a head that’s small enough to reach all areas in your mouth, and a dab of fluoride toothpaste. You should thoroughly brush all tooth surfaces – that means the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of the teeth – for at least two minutes, at least twice per day. Brace-wearers must also carefully clean around the brackets and in the spaces between wires and teeth, where food particles can become trapped and lead to decay; the same goes for the areas between brackets and gums.
For the most effective brushing, try placing the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and gently moving the bristles in a back-and-forth pattern. Clean just a small area at a time; when you’re done, move on to the next area, working your way all around the mouth (and brush your tongue, too). If you like listening to music, try brushing for the length of one song: about two or three minutes.
Special tools to clean teeth with braces
Interdental toothbrush
An interdental toothbrush (or proxabrush) looks like a small pipe cleaner, with bristles all around and a grip on the end. It’s small enough to get in between teeth and wires and can reach into places your standard toothbrush won’t go and keep those slender spaces clear of food and debris.
Oral irrigators
Oral irrigators or “water picks” – devices that squirt out a pressurized stream of water – can also be used to remove debris around wires and bands. They aren’t a substitute for brushing and flossing, but they can help keep even the narrowest spaces clean.
Pre-threaded dental floss
This type of floss has a stiffened end that makes it easier to thread the floss behind the wires of the braces, allows for more effective and efficient cleaning around the brackets and along the gum line.
Mouthwash
Ask your dentist if they recommend you use mouthwash to help rinse away debris, and if so, what brand they recommend.
Flossing teeth with braces
Flossing with braces can be a bit challenging, but with the right techniques and a little patience, it can become a manageable part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Since braces create additional surfaces for plaque and food particles to accumulate, it’s crucial to be thorough when flossing.
First, using the right type of floss is essential. As mentioned earlier, pre-threaded floss or floss with a stiff end can greatly simplify the process. These flosses can easily slide under the archwire of the braces, making it easier to reach the gum line and the spaces between the teeth. If you’re using regular floss, a floss threader can be a helpful tool. This small, plastic needle helps thread the floss behind each wire, allowing you to clean around the brackets and under the wires.
When flossing, gently insert the floss between two teeth and slide it up and down along the sides of both teeth and under the gums. Be careful not to snap the floss into the gums or tug too hard on the wires and brackets. It’s important to be gentle to avoid damaging the braces or causing irritation to your gums.
Another helpful tip is to floss at a time when you aren’t rushed. Evening is often ideal because you’re less likely to be in a hurry compared to the morning. This allows you to take your time to floss thoroughly, which is important for preventing gum disease and tooth decay, particularly when you have braces.
See your orthodontist regularly
Checking in with your orthodontist regularly is particularly important when you have braces, as the complexity of maintaining oral hygiene increases significantly. Braces involve an array of brackets, wires, and bands that can trap food particles and plaque, creating a breeding ground for bacteria if not cleaned thoroughly. Regular visits to a dentist or orthodontist help ensure that any potential issues related to these challenges are addressed promptly.
During these visits, your orthodontist can perform professional cleanings that are more thorough than what can be achieved at home. These cleanings help remove plaque and tartar buildup in hard-to-reach areas around the braces. Additionally, the dentist will check for signs of gum disease or cavities, which are more difficult to detect and can progress quickly due to the crevices and hiding spots created by braces.
Besides addressing immediate dental hygiene concerns, regular check-ups also allow the dentist to monitor the progress of the orthodontic treatment. They can adjust the braces as needed to ensure that the teeth are moving into the correct position according to the treatment plan. Adjustments might include changing wires, repositioning brackets, or instructing the patient on additional care needs specific to their treatment progress.
You’ll want to keep seeing your dental health provider even after the braces come off, to ensure your teeth and smile stay healthy and strong.
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