Oral Hygiene

Good habits equal beautiful results

Ensuring a beautiful after-braces smile is a team effort. A critical part of your job is to clean your teeth well. That’s harder to do when you have braces, because food compacts in the brackets and between the teeth. Brushing, flossing and regular dental cleanings are all you need to keep that smile vibrant!

Brushing & Flossing

It takes a few more minutes to brush and floss when you have braces, but once you establish a routine, it’s just another part of your day. Built-up plaque can leave permanent white marks on your teeth, so you do want to brush after every meal and floss daily.

Brushing Technique

Use firm pressure and brush at a 45-degree angle.
Brush in small circles above and below the bracket to you cover all areas of the tooth.

Toothbrush Tips

A soft-bristled toothbrush gets into spaces around your braces better and doesn’t irritate your gums.
A compact travel toothbrush is handy for brushing after lunch when you are at school or on the job.
Replace your toothbrush whenever the bristles start to fray.
An electric toothbrush (Sonicare, Oral-B or similar) and Waterpik are very effective in removing food particles and plaque when used correctly.

Dental Visits

Routine dental exams and cleanings are even more important when you have braces. Your general dentist is also a partner in making sure your teeth are healthy, and can spot potential problem areas through regular x-rays and visual exams. When you have braces, you need to make three appointments every time you visit your dentist:

Orthodontist: to remove your archwire
Dentist: dental exam or cleaning
Orthodontist: to replace your archwire

We work with you to prepare for these visits and can help coordinate with your general dentist to make sure the appointments are close together. (You don’t want to go more than a day without your archwire in place.)