Brushing & Flossing Your Teeth with Braces

When you have braces it’s very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your treatment. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and your appliance.

Brushing

Step 1

Using a dry brush with a small amount of toothpaste place bristles where gums and teeth meet.

Step 2

For 10 seconds on each tooth use circular, vibrating motions around the gum lines.

Step 3

Every tooth of both arches should be brushed slowly.

Step 4

Brush the lower teeth from gum line up and the upper teeth from the gum line down. Brush the roof of your mouth and your tongue too!

Flossing

Step 1

Carefully thread unwaxed floss between braces and wire. You may find a floss threader helpful.

Step 2

Carefully floss around the braces.

Step 3

Carefully floss around the gum areas.

Step 4

Carefully floss around each tooth.

Watch Brushing & Flossing While Wearing Braces video from AAO: