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5 Tips for Brushing Teeth with Braces
At White, Greer, & Maggard Orthodontics, we do everything we can to make the time you spend wearing braces as smooth and problem-free as possible. However, some minor (and not so minor) problems with your braces can pop up. When something unexpected haooens that damages your braces or your mouth, please call our office location closest to you`
1. Start Without Toothpaste
You read that right! We recommend starting your brushing without toothpaste. This is because the foam from toothpaste can make it difficult to see where you’re brushing. Instead, use a wet brush and proceed as you normally would. Once you’ve removed all major food particles and debris, you can add a small amount of toothpaste and brush again.
2. Remove Big Debris First
If you dive right into brushing without first removing big chunks of food, you can end up mashing those particles further into your gums and orthodontic components. Use a wet toothbrush to pick food and plaque out of those tight spaces before moving onto normal brushing.
3. Use a Soft-Bristled Brush
Even if you’re used to using a medium or hard-bristled toothbrush, it’s best to start with a soft one when you first get braces. Focus on cleaning the space between your brackets and gums. Contact with gums is almost unavoidable, which is why gentle bristles are better. Hard bristles can damage gums and cause unnecessary discomfort.
4. Brush for Two Full Minutes
Timing is everything with brushing! You should always brush your teeth for at least two full minutes to make sure you got everything. If you have a hard time keeping track of how long you’ve been brushing, invest in an electric toothbrush that does the counting for you. Of course, if you happen to have a lot of food caught in your braces, go over two minutes to make sure your mouth is perfectly clean. You’ll thank yourself later for putting in that extra time when you see that perfect, radiant smile of yours later.
5. Find Toothpaste You Like
You should always do whatever it takes to reinforce good brushing habits. If this means switching toothpastes to find something more palatable, go for it! As long as your toothpaste has fluoride in it, it doesn’t matter what flavor you choose. Be sure to avoid whitening toothpastes while you have braces. If you use a whitening toothpaste on a daily bases, the teeth underneath the brackets may not be as white as the rest of your teeth when your braces come off!
You can always talk to your trusted orthodontist for help with brushing.