How to Brush Your Teeth with Braces: 5 Tips and Tricks
Did you know that braces date back to mummies? Mummified ancient people were found to have metal bands around their teeth.
Whether or not you currently have braces, you might be curious about how to brush your teeth with braces. How complicated is it and how can you ensure that you get all of that food out after meals?
While it might seem complicated to brush around braces, there’s hope. Read this guide on how to brush your teeth with braces today!
Table of Contents
1. Consider an Electric Toothbrush
You can learn more from your dentist about how to brush and floss your teeth properly with braces. If you’re using the Oral-B toothbrush, you can consider using the sensitive mode.
This will move around your teeth for the ultimate comfort and care. It can also go around the different wires and braces on your teeth.
Remove all elastic bands that are temporary before you begin. Brush all the way around your upper and lower teeth including your wires.
You’ll still want to brush your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes. Each quadrant gets about 30 seconds.
Once you’re finished with these teeth brushing tips, you’ll want to rinse thoroughly. Take a look at your mouth in the mirror to ensure that there’s no leftover food.
2. How To Clean Braces
In order to keep your teeth clean, it’s important to brush each tooth individually. For children, consider fun toothbrushes with their favorite characters on them.
Make sure that you keep the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle from the gum line. As you move in a circular direction, apply gentle pressure.
The same pressure should be applied for both inner and outer tooth surfaces. To reach the smaller front teeth, it’s important to tilt the brush as necessary.
3. Replace Your Toothbrush
If you’re using an electric toothbrush, you’ll want to replace the head regularly. For regular toothbrushes, you’ll want to replace them as well.
It’s best to change your toothbrush every 3 months, especially if you have braces. This is because braces can wear them down faster.
Once you notice that the bristles have worn, you’ll want to replace your toothbrush, even if it’s less than 3 months. Along with brushing your teeth, consider using brush picks in order to remove food particles that are stuck between your teeth.
4. Get Into a Routine
In order to avoid food and plaque buildup, it’s recommended to brush your teeth after every meal. Some will even brush their teeth after snacks as well. Get into a routine for specific times of the day that you brush your teeth.
5. Swish Around
Once you have all of your tools ready, you’ll want to rinse your mouth out with water. This will loosen up the food particles. This will make it easier to remove any food that’s stuck.
6. Use Small Circles
As you go, it’s important to use small circles. For each bracket, you’ll want to spend 25-30 seconds.
To clean the brackets well, consider using an interdental brush. It’s important to know that an interdental brush doesn’t replace regular brushing. Since most brackets have holes in them, you can wiggle the interdental brush down into each bracket.
Brush the gums above and below your teeth. Turn the brush 180 degrees where it faces your cheek. Make sure to brush your entire mouth, and don’t forget about your tongue.
How to Floss With Braces
Consider using a floss threader in order to make it easier to go in and out of each bracket. Be gentle as you move around with the floss. Speak with your dentist to see if a water flosser is an option for you.
A good option is a waxed floss. This is because unwaxed floss is more likely to get stuck between your teeth.
First, thread the floss between the brace wire. Make sure that it doesn’t get stuck. Looking in the mirror while you do this will help.
Don’t pull on the brace wire with the floss. Next, slide the floss between your teeth.
You want the floss to run up the bottom of each fingertip to the index finger. Pull the floss so that goes into the space between your teeth.
You’ll want to form a C shape with the floss around each side of your tooth. Repeat for all teeth. Not only can floss remove food, but it can remove plaque that is invisible and can cause tooth decay. Ensure that you scrub your teeth as you go.
What Brush To Use With Braces
For braces maintenance, you’ll want to use a brush with soft bristles. Whether that’s a soft toothbrush or an electric option is up to you. Remember that you’ll need a toothbrush that you can brush around and on the wires as well.
Should I Brush My Teeth Once I Get My Braces?
Once you get braces, your mouth might feel sore. Even if your mouth is sore, you’ll still want to brush your teeth in order to remove food and bacteria. The discomfort will fade and you’ll begin to get used to wearing braces.
Learning How To Brush Your Teeth With Braces
After exploring this guide, you should have a better idea of how to brush your teeth with braces. Take your time learning how to brush your teeth, and speak with your dentist about even more tips and tricks.
Would you like to read more informative content? Be sure to check out our other articles on our site today!