At the orthodontic office of Gary D. Stafford, DDS in Pleasanton, we want your teeth to last a lifetime. Proper brushing and flossing are essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums, especially during orthodontic treatment with braces. Excellent oral hygiene not only protects your smile but also helps keep your treatment on schedule.
Why Brushing and Flossing Matter with Braces
Braces create additional spaces where food debris and plaque can collect. Without proper cleaning, this buildup can lead to cavities, gum inflammation, and prolonged treatment time.
- Brushing removes food particles and plaque from the surfaces of your teeth and around brackets.
- Flossing cleans tight spaces between teeth and beneath the gum line where your toothbrush can’t reach.
How to Brush with Braces
We recommend brushing two to three times a day, ideally after every meal.
For best results:
- Brush for a full two minutes after meals.
- Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line.
- Use small, gentle, circular motions on the outside and inside surfaces of your teeth.
- Brush chewing surfaces with short back-and-forth motions.
- Pay special attention to the areas around brackets and wires.
Consistent brushing helps prevent staining, cavities, and white spots around brackets.
How to Floss with Braces
Flossing should be done every night, and ideally after meals when possible.
To floss properly with braces:
- Use a floss threader or special orthodontic floss to guide the floss behind each wire.
- Wrap the ends around your pointer fingers, leaving a few inches of taut floss between them.
- Gently slide the floss between each set of teeth using a back-and-forth motion.
- Curve the floss along each tooth and clean beneath the gum line.
- Repeat until all teeth have been flossed.
If traditional floss isn’t removing all debris, ask us about using a water flosser for added convenience and effectiveness.
Supporting Healthy Smiles Throughout Treatment
At every visit to our Pleasanton orthodontic office, Dr. Stafford will monitor your oral hygiene and offer encouragement and tips to keep you on track. Our goal is to help you finish treatment with not only a straighter smile, but a healthy one, too.
