Brushing & Flossing
Brushing and Flossing with Braces
After having your braces placed at Dr. Dumore & Team Orthodontics, it is still very important to brush and floss. In fact, because food can get caught in the brackets and under the wire, Dr. Dumore asks that patients brush after every meal. By keeping all of those nooks and crannies that food can so easily get trapped in clear of debris, you are keeping your teeth and gums healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment.
If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss, please ask Dr. Dumore or any member of his team, and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and your orthodontic appliance.
Brushing Instructions
Step 1
To begin, place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward your gum, so not flat on the surface of your tooth, but angled. This angle will help to loosen and clear away food particles, debris and plaque.
Step 2
Begin to then brush gently in a circular motion. While brushing, be sure to circle around each bracket, around the wires, and the teeth below. Be gentle with your brushing, you do not want to dislodge a bracket or the wire.
Step 3
As you brush, brush the outer, inner, and the chewing surfaces of each tooth. You are removing food particles, along with plaque, and any additional decay causing bacteria. It is important to clean the full tooth, not just the surface that is seen.
Step 4
Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth. Use the bristles of your brush to clear away any stuck in food or plaque.
Flossing Instructions
Step 1
To floss your teeth, begin with a piece of floss that is approximately 18 inches long, this process will be more time consuming with your braces, but is very important. Begin with carefully placing the floss between braces and wire. Some patients find using a floss threader to be helpful.
Step 2
Taking your time, carefully floss around the braces, the brackets and wire to remove any food debris and plaque.
Step 3
After you have flossed your braces, then carefully floss around the gum areas. Plaque left on your gums can cause an infection in the soft tissues. We want to eliminate this possibility.
Step 4
The last step is to the carefully floss around each tooth. The process of caring for your teeth can be long, but is important to your dental health. Repairing decay when a patient has braces can be a difficult, time consuming, process.
At Dr. Dumore & Team Orthodontics, we know how important it is to care for your teeth and keep them clean. Dr. Tim Dumore is available to answer all of your questions about braces, including how to brush and floss them with the correct tools.
For more information, contact our Winnipeg Manitoba MB R3J 0P1, Canada office at: 204-832-3910