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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! 

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.