Brushing & Flossing with Braces

When you wear braces, it’s essential to brush and floss after every meal to keep your gums and teeth healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment. If you need help selecting the right dental floss, toothpaste, and toothbrush, please talk to Dr. Carl Bernstein or any of our staff members. We‘ll be glad to help you determine the right products for your teeth and your orthodontic appliance in Cary, NC.

Brushing with Braces

Brush your teeth for at least two minutes after every meal with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled, small-headed toothbrush. You can use a powered toothbrush to increase your brushing effectiveness as an alternative.

Using small, gentle, circular motions, brush your teeth's interior and exterior surfaces while holding the head of your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line. Brush the inside surface of your front teeth and your teeth’s chewing surfaces using short, gentle, back-and-forth motions. Pay close attention to the areas around your teeth brackets or other orthodontic appliances.

Brushing with braces in Cary, NC

Flossing with Braces

Flossing after each meal will help keep your braces and teeth clean, which will also help preserve your oral health and keep your orthodontic treatment time on track. To floss your teeth with braces, use a special orthodontic floss or a floss threader to thread the floss behind each wire. Wrap the ends of the floss around your pointer fingers of both hands, leaving a few inches of taut floss between them.

Using a back and forth motion, gently slide the floss between each set of your teeth. Floss the sides of each tooth beneath your gum line to remove the food particles and plaque that may be lurking around. Repeat this procedure until you have flossed all of your teeth. If your floss isn’t getting rid of all the food particles around your braces and between your teeth, contact us to ask for a water flosser!

Flossing with braces in Cary, NC