7 Tips for Brushing Your Teeth With Braces

Getting braces will require a few adjustments to your daily routine, including your oral hygiene routine. While brushing and flossing are the same when you have braces, you’ll need to pay a little more attention to detail than usual and be a little more careful. Making sure to properly brush around your brackets and wires to get any food debris and bacteria while not causing any damage can be tricky. That’s why Lincoln Orthodontics has seven tips for brushing your teeth with braces to help keep things simple.

Straightening your smile with braces is an investment in your future. You’re fixing a physical issue while boosting your confidence and overall self-esteem. Your success is just as important as your smile to our team of experts here at Lincoln Orthodontics, so let’s take a look at some tips for effective brushing with braces. 

#1 Rinse thoroughly

Get started by gargling warm water and spitting it into the sink before brushing to remove any loose food particles that may have gathered under and around the brackets. You may need to do this a few times if you find you notice a lot of debris. Rinse as many times as necessary until the water you spit is clear. Once there are no longer pieces of debris, you can start brushing your teeth.

#2 Choose the right toothpaste

Typically, those old enough to get braces no longer use children’s bubblegum-flavored toothpaste. If your child is still using this kind of toothpaste when they get their braces put on, it’s probably time to choose an option better suited to their oral health needs. The American Dental Association and Dr. Willett recommend toothpaste with fluoride and stronger compounds better able to combat and neutralize bacteria. 

#3 Don’t forget your gums

Once your braces are put on in our Lincoln office, you may briefly experience gum sensitivity or inflammation, but this will subside quickly. As it does, make sure you are brushing not just the brackets and wires on the front faces of your teeth but that you are going all the way to your gums to get the plaque and debris that builds up there, as well. 

#4 Brushing your brackets

Knowing what to do when it comes to cleaning the brackets and wires of your braces can be daunting if you don’t take some time to prepare. For the most part, it is the same process as brushing your teeth without braces, back and forth. But, with brackets on, you will need to adjust your brush placement to get a good angle for effective cleaning. 

Brushing down from the top of the bracket, up from the bottom, and in a circular angle around them will help get those hard-to-reach places. Be sure not to apply too much pressure to damage the wires or brackets themselves. If you use an electric toothbrush, dial back the intensity or even opt for a standard brush as you get to the pressure needed to clean your teeth with braces properly. 

#5 Take your time

There is no denying that having braces takes a bit of time and effort. It was tricky enough to get to the two-minute mark without braces, and the added complications of brackets and wires being in the way can make you want to rush and skip necessary steps. But it is more important than ever to take your time when brushing during braces treatment with Lincoln Orthodontics to ensure the best results in the long run. Most electric toothbrushes come with a built-in timer that can keep you accountable while giving you an extra hand at the actual cleaning, as well. 

#6 Make sure to floss twice a day

While flossing is one of the most beneficial components of oral health, it is often the most skipped step, especially for those who have the hardware of braces making the challenge a bit harder. You mustn’t miss this step as debris, plaque, and bacteria can become lodged between teeth and brackets. 

There are also disposable flossing sticks that can be used in a pinch to get to hard-to-reach places where debris can be lodged. Dr. Willett will likely also give you a tool, like an interdental proxy brush, to help make this process easier.

#7 Rinse again

Once you have brushed and flossed your teeth, it is a good idea to rinse your mouth out again with warm water to get any of the loose particles knocked free during the process. This ensures a clean mouth and that no leftover debris gets lodged back in your braces.

Trust your smile to the experts at Lincoln Orthodontics

We know things come up, and life gets busy. Still, proper brushing and flossing during your orthodontic treatment with Lincoln Orthodontics can make a significant difference in your results and overall oral health and is worth the time. When things happen, or if you need more tips on caring for your braces, get in touch with our team of experts in Lincoln for a free consultation today.

We look forward to your smile!