After making the decision to straighten your teeth, it is very important to care for your teeth and braces. The brackets, wires, and other parts of your braces will attract food and plaque. If not cleaned properly, this can stain or damage the teeth. Dr. Tao Sun recommends that you brush your teeth morning, night, and after every meal. It is also important that you floss your teeth at least once every day. But how do you brush and floss properly with braces?
Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush using a gentle, circular motion. Brush down from the top of the teeth and then up from the bottom. Tilt your toothbrush 45 degrees to brush the tops and bottoms of your brackets. Then, using a proxabrush, brush between your brackets. Insert the brush between the arch wire and the teeth and brush with upward and downward strokes. Do this until you have cleaned between all of your brackets.
To floss your teeth, thread the short end of the floss between your teeth and the arch wire. Using a floss threader can make this easier. Then gently move the floss back and forth to work it between the teeth. Curve the floss under the gums using a C-shaped motion. Move the floss up and down to remove plaque. Repeat until the sides of every tooth have been cleaned.
Cleaning your teeth may take a lot of time at first, but with practice, your oral hygiene routine will go faster. Our dentist may also recommend using a fluoride mouthwash to clean the areas your toothbrush can’t reach. We welcome you to contact our office today to learn more about braces in Costa Mesa and Apple Valley, California, and to schedule your next visit. We look forward to helping you reach a straighter, healthier smile!