Brushing & Flossing
Life with Braces | Brushing & Flossing | Types of Braces | Types of Appliances | Retainer Instructions | Appliance Instructions
Brushing Your Teeth with Braces
When you have braces it’s very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your treatment. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and your appliance.
- Bruch 5 times per day
- When wake up
- After breakfast
- After lunch
- After dinner
- At bedtime
- Additionally brush after any snack
- Use a wet soft toothbrush initially so you can clean and evaluate how you are doing. Floss thoroughly and then use tooth paste and brush again for that fresh taste
- Methods:
- Brush down on the upper braces and up on the lower braces
- Then use circular strokes where the gums and teeth meet
- Inspect your brushing job and redo any missed or insufficiently cleaned areas
- If a fluoride rinse is given, follow the doctor’s instructions
- The most susceptible decay areas are between the teeth and between the brackets and gums
- Brushing Instructions
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Brushing: Step 1
Place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gum.
Brushing: Step 2
Brush gently in a circular motion.
Brushing: Step 3
Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
Brushing: Step 4
Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth.
- Flossing Instructions
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Flossing: Step 1
Wind about 18 inches of floss around your fingers as shown. Most of it should be wrapped around one finger, and as the floss is used, the other finger takes it up.
Flossing: Step 2
Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide about one inch of floss between your teeth.
Flossing: Step 3
Holding the floss tightly, gently saw the floss between your teeth. Then curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it beneath your gums.
Flossing: Step 4
Slide the floss up and down, repeating for each tooth.