Oral Hygiene

Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small strip of fluoride toothpaste.

When you brush your teeth, move the brush in small, circular motions to reach food particles that may be under your gum line. Hold the toothbrush at an angle and brush slowly and carefully, covering all areas between teeth, between braces and on the chewing surfaces of each tooth.

It will take you several minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth before you rinse.

For areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach, use dental floss to remove food particle and plaque.

Flossing takes more time and patience when you are wearing braces, but it is important to floss your teeth every day. Use a reusable floss threader to thread the floss under the archwire and slide it up and down along each tooth.

You will be able to feel when the tooth is clean and hear the squeak of the floss against your clean tooth. Continue flossing until you have cleaned both sides of each of your teeth.

Use care around your archwire and do not floss too forcefully around it or put too much pressure on it.