Introduction
Now that you have your braces in place, it's even more important to maintain good hygiene during your treatment. Braces, wires, bands and retainers can trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or floss away plaque. Careful brushing and flossing, preferably after every meal and snack, is the best way to prevent plaque build-up, tooth decay and gum disease.
You can learn more about proper orthodontic hygiene by clicking on the buttons for each particular topic.
Brushing
Step 1
Start with the outside of the teeth, with the brush flat against the surface of teeth. Use circular, vibrating motions.
Step 2
When brushing your top teeth, clean the area between the gums and braces by angling the brush downward. Keep moving in small, circular motions.
Step 3
When brushing the lower teeth, angle the brush upward.
Step 4
Carefully brush the chewing surfaces of both the upper and lower jaw.
Step 5
Finish by brushing the inside of the teeth.
Flossing
Step 1
Floss at least once a day. You need to pull the floss under the archwire with a floss threader. Start by pulling floss through the threader.
Step 2
Push the end of the floss threader under the archwire and pull the floss through.
Step 3
Pull the floss up between the teeth and gently move it up and down the side of both teeth. Remember to move it up all the way under the gums.
Step 4
Pull the floss out and use a different section of it for the next tooth.
Rinsing
When you're finished brushing and flossing, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water or an antiseptic dental rinse. An antiseptic rinse can help minor gum inflammations and irritations from orthodontic appliances, as well as cleanse canker sores and other minor wounds. It can also remove debris or irritants from the mouth, speeding up your body's natural healing process.
Interdental Toothbrush
Using an interdental toothbrush (proxabrush) can help keep your teeth, braces and gums clean and healthy. Use this device slowly and carefully to clean under orthodontic wires and around braces, taking care not to damage your braces.
Retainer Care
Since retainers can accumulate food particles and plaque, brush your retainer every time you brush your teeth. Also soak your retainer once a day in a glass of room-temperature tap water with a denture-cleaning tablet. This will help prevent plaque build-up and oral infections and keep it tasting better. DO NOT use hot water, which can distort the appliance.
Food Guidelines
During your first week in braces, stick to a soft food diet until any discomfort subsides. Afterward, you can eat just about anything while wearing braces, with a few exceptions.
You should avoid hard foods like ice and pizza crust, as well as sticky foods such as caramels and chewing gum, since they can damage wires and brackets. Also minimize sugary foods like ice cream and cookies, and reduce sugared drinks like soda or milk to once a day.