How do I keep my teeth clean with braces?

Achieving your healthiest smile!

"How do I clean my teeth with braces?" We are so glad you asked!

Good oral hygiene habits are always important, but did you know that brushing and flossing is even more crucial during orthodontic treatment? Unhealthy teeth and gums can cause serious setbacks in your treatment process. You are making a personal investment in your smile, and we want to achieve the best possible – and healthiest – results!  

 

Enemies of a healthy smile 

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This is one area where consistency is key! We know that brushing and flossing with braces requires a little extra time and effort. But what happens if you don’t keep your teeth clean? Won’t the dentist or orthodontist take care of that for you? While we are all here to work toward your best smile, your role is just as important! During orthodontic treatment, braces create “pockets” where food particles hide. If left on the surface of your teeth, those food particles combine with bacteria and saliva to form plaque – a sticky, film that can lead to a long list of other dental problems: 

  • Plaque harbors bacteria that lower the pH in your mouth. This environment causes calcium and phosphate to leach out of your teeth, resulting in visible white spots or “decalcification.” 
  • When plaque is not brushed away, it hardens into tartar, which can only be removed by your dentist. Tartar buildup can irritate the gums, causing inflammation, bleeding and soreness. 
  • The acidic environment caused by plaque weakens overall tooth enamel, making cavities much more likely. 
  • Unhealthy teeth and gums can ultimately slow, interrupt or even halt orthodontic treatment! 

Tips for cleaning your teeth with braces 

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Achieving a great smile through orthodontic treatment is a high priority, but we want to help you maintain your best smile each step of the way! Our team at McKinney Orthodontics is always here to offer instructions, tips and tricks for clean, healthy teeth and a smile you can be proud of for life! 

  • Brush at least three times a day and pay special attention to the areas above and below brackets where food particles love to hide!  
  • Use a soft-bristle or electric toothbrush; toothbrushes with smaller heads are particularly good at hard-to-reach spaces. 
  • Floss with a floss threader (we provide these!) or a water flosser, such as a Waterpik. This is particularly important for removing food that is stuck around your brackets and difficult to remove with brushing alone.  
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  •  an interproximal brush (we provide these too!) to remove food stuck inside wires and around brackets.  
  • Pack an interproximal brush and travel toothbrush for longer periods away from home.  
  • Use a fluoride mouthwash such as ACT to help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. 
  • Even though you see us regularly, your dentist checkups are very important! See your dentist every 6 months for a professional cleaning. We even have special appointments to quickly remove and replace wires to make your cleanings super easy and effective.  

At McKinney Orthodontics, we want to see you achieve your BEST smile at the end of treatment. Keeping your teeth clean and healthy along the way is vital to getting results that you can be proud of for life. Let us know how we can support your dental health while we work toward that goal together!