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Clean Teeth Club
How often should I brush?
Brush your teeth 3 times a day: Morning, Afternoon and Evening.
How should I brush?
Brushing with braces should take between 3-5 minutes. Set a timer, or play one or two of your favorite tunes!
Begin with your upper teeth. Brush the sides of your teeth and the braces, moving in small circles.
Then brush the important area between the braces and the gums. Angle your tooth brush down 45 degrees. Go all the way around.
Next brush the tips of your upper teeth. Angle your brush up 45 degrees. Don’t forget the back ones!
Brush the chewing surfaces.
Brush the inside surfaces.
Repeat the process for your lower teeth.
Brush your tongue next – this helps to avoid bad breath.
Have a retainer? Brush the inside and outside. You can use a denture cleaner if your retainer gets tartar build-up.
How do I know I got it all?
Get up close to your mirror and look all around your teeth for any remaining whitish build-up called plaque.
Especially check the area right next to your gums.
You can use a tooth pick to lightly scrape the area between your braces and your gums. If any plaque comes off there is still more cleaning to be done!
What about an electric tooth brush?
If you still find plaque on your teeth after going through your brushing routine an electric tooth brush may help you.
Sonicare or the Braun Oral-B work well with braces.
Use the same sequence of brushing as shown for the regular tooth brush.
Can I still floss?
Certainly! To get the food out between your teeth floss is your best friend.
How should I floss?
Guide a strand of floss through the end of a floss threader.
Time Saver Floss Tip: use Super Floss from Oral-B, the strand of floss already has a plastic threader built-in!
Slide the floss threader under the wire and pull the wire through.
Grab the floss and clean the side of each tooth next to the space.
Pull the strand of floss out and repeat at the next space.
Once you master the technique flossing with braces will take about 5 minutes.
Do rinses help?
Absolutely! A fluoride mouth rinse helps protect your teeth from staining and cavities. Go to the drug store for a supply of ACT or Colgate Fluorguard!
How do I use my fluoride rinse?
Rinse once a day in the evening before bedtime, after brushing and flossing.
Swish the fluoride rinse all around your top and bottom teeth for 60 seconds.
Spit the fluoride rinse out in the sink.
Avoid eating or drinking anything for the next 30 minutes for the maximum effect.
What if . . .?
... I don’t brush, floss and rinse? Your gums will become irritated, puffy and red. Sometimes your gums will bleed. Your mouth may even start to hurt! Over time the thin whitish film of plaque will start dissolving part of your teeth and form stains and cavities. These stains are permanent!
... I do a great job brushing, flossing and rinsing? You will be rewarded with the lifetime benefits of a healthy, happy and beautiful smile!
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