Oral Hygiene

It is really easy to get cavities and gum disease while you are wearing braces. Because food particles can hide in your braces and between your teeth, bacteria builds up fast.  To prevent decay while you are wearing your braces, be sure to brush and floss well and to follow any special hygiene-related instructions.

Brushing

Brush your teeth after each meal and before bed. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and always use a fluoride toothpaste. Brush in small, circular motions to loosen food that may be trapped around your gums. Angle your toothbrush and brush between your teeth, braces and tooth surface to cover the whole area. Brush downwards on upper teeth and upwards on lower teeth.

Your toothbrush will wear out faster than normal because of the rough texture of your braces. Be sure to replace your toothbrush as soon as you see this happening. It’s difficult to brush hard-to-reach areas when the bristles are worn out. An antibacterial mouthwash and a fluoride treatment will also help keep your teeth clean during your braces treatment.

Flossing

Braces require that you floss daily, morning and night. A reusable floss threader lets you reach under your archwire to clean between your teeth. If you do not have a floss threader handy, you can still floss the conventional way it will just take you longer and be a bit more tedious. Bleeding gums are common when you first begin flossing around your braces. The bleeding typically goes away after a few times, but if not, let Dr. Patel or Dr. Thakkar know during your next appointment.