Brushing Teeth With Braces
Rinse with water before brushing. When you’re ready to brush, start at the gum line and brush at a 45-degree angle after brushing the gumline, angle your toothbrush down to brush each bracket. Then, reposition the toothbrush to brush the bottom of the bracket and the wire, angling the toothbrush up. Then, reposition the toothbrush to brush the bottom of the bracket and the wire, angling the toothbrush up.
7 Tips for Brushing Teeth With Braces
- You should brush your teeth with toothpaste containing fluoride when you brush your teeth.
- Brushing your teeth in front of a mirror is necessary. Make sure that you use a circular motion while using a manual toothbrush.
- You can use an electric toothbrush by pointing its head at your gums and moving it across each tooth surface before allowing it to do the work.
- Make sure you brush your braces both above and below them. Ensuring that you brush all surfaces.
- Be sure to brush your gums as well.
- To brush your teeth with braces, you need to clean in between each bracket and around them while you have toothpaste in your mouth.
Importance of Brushing with Braces
Braces and wires help align teeth, but they don’t actually take care of them. The importance of brushing and flossing increases when wearing braces to prevent plaque buildup, staining, and decay. In addition to removing food particles, good dental hygiene practices also prevent bacteria from growing.
Before food debris has a chance to accumulate and develop into plaque, patients can remove them with the help of special brushes that can reach under the wires.
Maintaining Your Braces
MAKE IT ROUTINE
When you have braces on, it is simpler to overlook dental plaque accumulation. Make it a point to clean your teeth after every meal to reduce the possibility that plaque and food particles will have a chance to linger long enough to cause issues.
GATHER YOUR TOOLS
- Nonabrasive toothpaste
- A manual or electric toothbrush
- Floss and a floss threader or a water flosser
- Proxabrushes (also called go-between brushes and interdental brushes)
- Mouthwash
- Drink plenty of water daily.
- Eat a healthy balanced diet.
- Schedule regular dental checkups.
TAKE YOUR TIME
Taking your time and thoroughly brushing all the surfaces of your braces and teeth is extremely important when you have braces. It can take a minimum of two minutes to brush your teeth actively, but it may take you a little longer when you’re getting used to brushing with braces for the first time.
Try using a proxa brush after your normal brushing procedure if the wires and brackets on your teeth are making it difficult for you to reach all of the surfaces.