Cleaning and Brushing Teeth With Braces

young girl brushing teeth with braces

At Ricci Orthodontics, Dr. Steven Ricci and our experienced team have been providing comprehensive orthodontics for our patients in Johns Creek, Georgia, and the neighboring communities of Alpharetta, Duluth, Suwanee, Cumming, Norcross, Peachtree Corners, Buford, Sugar Hill, and Atlanta, Georgia for 16 years now! Today we would like to talk a little bit about the best way of cleaning and brushing your teeth with braces. Whether it’s your first day with braces or you’ve had them awhile, this information can help you have the best orthodontic oral hygiene.

 

Brushing Your Teeth with Braces

Caring for your pearly whites is important whether you are wearing braces or not, but it is even more crucial while aligning your smile. This is because brackets and wires can trap food particles and harbor bacteria which lead to tooth decay and gum disease. We advise brushing your teeth every time you eat, including meals and snacks, instead of just twice a day. You can use a manual toothbrush or an electric/battery powered toothbrush, whichever works best for you. Be sure, when cleaning your teeth with braces, to use a soft-bristled brush, and carefully clean each tooth around the brackets and gumline. Start with the gumline, then brush up and down around each bracket. Rinse thoroughly to make sure all oral debris is removed.

 

Flossing with Braces

After brushing, remember to floss. Target the areas between the teeth as well as the tooth surfaces underneath the wires. Find a flossing method that works best for you, and use it! We recommend flossing once a day, at the very least. You can use waxed dental floss, a threaded floss, an oral irrigator, an interdental brush or an orthodontic floss which is specifically designed to clean around brackets and wires.

If you are out and about and don’t have a toothbrush with you, you can still remove food particles and debris after eating by rinsing well with water or mouthwash after eating. There are even options for pocket-sized toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste. Follow up with a thorough tooth brushing as soon as you are able.

 

Braces Types and Options

If you are in need of braces then you have access to more options than ever before. You can find a braces procedure that suits your needs and works well for you. For example, Ricci Orthodontics can provide services and braces information including some of the following forms of braces:

Whether you’ve already got braces and want to know how to take care of them, or are preparing for upcoming braces, Ricci Orthodontics can help. Our braces and related services are among the best possible in Georgia. We hope these tips help you take good care of your teeth while aligning your smile. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Steven Ricci in Johns Creek, Georgia, then please give us a call at 678-932-0308 today. Our Ricci Orthodontics team looks forward to helping you maintain your healthy, beautiful smile!

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