Tips for Braces

Now that you have braces, it's important to maintain good oral hygiene throughout the length of your treatment.

brushing teeth diagram

Brushing while Wearing Braces

Brush your teeth four times daily to avoid the accumulation of food particles in your teeth and braces, at these times:

  • In the morning after breakfast
  • After lunch or right after school
  • After dinner
  • At bedtime

Flossing While Wearing Braces

Flossing takes more time and patience when you are wearing braces, but it is important to floss your teeth every day. We recommend flossing at night to make sure your teeth are clean before you go to bed.

Use a reusable floss threader to floss under your archwire. Pull a small length of floss from the dispenser through the threader, and slide it up and down along the front of each tooth. Use care around your archwire, and do not floss too forcefully around it or put too much pressure on it.

flossing with braces diagram

woman using mouthwash

Rinsing With an Antibacterial Mouthwash

To reduce inflammation to your gums and cheeks, we suggest using Listerene Zero. This rinse kills bacteria to prevent gum infections (gingivitis) and decreases irritation that may develop from your braces.

It's recommended to use it up to four times daily following brushing.

Use an Interdental Toothbrush

An interdental (between the teeth) toothbrush is used to clean underneath and around your archwires and braces.

Please use the interdental toothbrush gently to avoid damaging your wires.

interdental toothbrush diagram

topical flouride diagram

Topical Fluoride

We recommend using Prevident 5000 topical fluoride gel to help prevent white spots (decalcifications) and tooth decay while you are wearing braces. This gel kills bacteria and replaces minerals in the tooth enamel that have been removed by harmful acids from sugary foods and drinks (especially soda).

Using a fluoride gel does not replace daily brushing and flossing, but it should be applied following your daily schedule at bedtime. Place a small strip of the gel on a toothbrush, and apply it to your teeth for one minute. Then, spit out the excess fluoride and leave the remainder on your teeth overnight.