Brushing and Flossing
How to Brush and Floss with Braces | The Smile Makers at Coastal Carolina Orthodontics
How to Brush and Floss with Braces
At The Smile Makers at Coastal Carolina Orthodontics, we’re committed to helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile — and that starts with excellent oral hygiene during your orthodontic treatment. Brushing and flossing with braces is essential to keep your teeth and gums healthy and to ensure your treatment stays on schedule.
Our team is here to guide you every step of the way. If you’re unsure which toothbrush, toothpaste, or dental floss is best for your braces, the doctors at The Smile Makers will happily recommend products that work best with your orthodontic appliances.
Brushing with Braces
Proper brushing is key to preventing plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease while wearing braces. Here’s how to brush effectively:
Brush for two minutes after every meal using a soft-bristled, small-headed toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Consider using a powered or electric toothbrush for increased effectiveness.
Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line and use small, gentle, circular motions.
Brush both the outer and inner surfaces of your teeth.
Use short, back-and-forth motions on the chewing surfaces and the inside surfaces of your front teeth.
Pay special attention to brushing around each bracket and along the wires of your braces to remove all plaque and food particles.
Consistent brushing with braces will keep your teeth strong and your gums healthy, ensuring that when your braces come off, your smile is as perfect as planned.
Flossing with Braces
Flossing can be a little more challenging with braces, but it’s just as important as brushing. Flossing helps remove food and plaque from between your teeth and around your brackets and wires, preventing cavities and gum irritation.
How to Floss with Braces:
Use a floss threader or orthodontic floss to guide the floss behind each wire.
Wrap the ends of the floss around your index fingers, leaving a few inches of taut floss between them.
Gently slide the floss between each pair of teeth using a back-and-forth motion.
Floss carefully beneath the gum line to remove plaque and food particles from both sides of each tooth.
Repeat this process for all teeth, taking your time and being gentle to avoid irritation.
If traditional flossing is difficult or if you’re not removing all food particles, ask The Smile Makers about water flossers, which can make cleaning around braces quicker and easier.
The Importance of Proper Oral Hygiene with Braces
Brushing and flossing after every meal help prevent plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease.
Excellent oral hygiene keeps your treatment on track, avoiding delays caused by dental issues.
Proper care ensures that once your braces are removed, your teeth are not only straight but healthy and bright!
Need Help Choosing the Best Oral Care Products?
The doctors and team at The Smile Makers at Coastal Carolina Orthodontics are happy to recommend the best toothbrushes, toothpastes, floss, and water flossers for maintaining your oral health with braces. We’ll show you the proper techniques during your appointments to help make home care easy and effective.
Looking for expert orthodontic care and oral hygiene tips for braces in Morehead City, Havelock or Jacksonville, NC? Contact The Smile Makers at Coastal Carolina Orthodontics today to schedule your appointment!
We proudly provide comprehensive orthodontic care for children, teens, and adults in Morehead City, Havelock and Jacksonville, NC, with personalized guidance on how to care for your teeth throughout treatment.
Contact us today to learn more or book your appointment!
All of our doctors have achieved Board Certification with the American Board of Orthodontics. Being Board Certified means our doctors have demonstrated the ability to diagnose and treat the most challenging orthodontic problems, and achieve beautiful and functional results! This certification is attained by only a fraction of orthodontists in the country, and we are the only Board Certified Orthodontists in the area. Choose to be treated by the best!
