Orthodontic Care

Braces Care

When your orthodontic treatment begins, we will show you how to properly care for your braces. Good oral hygiene is essential—especially while wearing braces. Braces make it easier for food to get trapped, which makes cleaning your teeth more challenging. If food remains lodged around brackets and wires, it can lead to unsightly enamel stains and gum irritation.

Your most important responsibility is to keep your mouth clean. Poor hygiene can lead to swollen, bleeding gums—a sign of gum disease. This can slow down tooth movement and negatively affect your treatment progress.

BRUSHING

You should brush your teeth 3-4 times a day, ideally after every meal and before bed.

Follow these steps:

1. Begin by brushing back and forth across the brackets, wires, and gum line—both upper and lower teeth—to loosen any food particles.
2. Brush as you would without braces—using a 45-degree angle toward the gum line, scrub with small circular motions, covering two to three teeth at a time.
3. Brush the inner surfaces of your upper teeth.
4. Repeat the same brushing method on your lower teeth.
5. Check your work in a mirror. Your teeth, brackets, and wires should be free of food and plaque.

Note: If your gums bleed during brushing, do not avoid brushing. Continue brushing gently but thoroughly. Angle the bristles to clean just under the gum line. Bleeding should stop within 3–4 days with consistent, proper brushing.

FLOSSING

Floss at least once per day using a floss threader or orthodontic floss to clean between teeth and under the wires.

FLUORIDE RINSE OR GEL

We will provide you with a prescription for a specially formulated toothpaste that we recommend using throughout your orthodontic treatment. This toothpaste helps strengthen tooth enamel and reduce the risk of cavities as a preventive measure.

Appliance Care

• Clean removable retainers by brushing them gently with toothpaste.
• If are given a fixed lower retainer, be extra careful to clean around the wire and the inside surfaces of your lower teeth. Use a floss threader in this area where the wire is attached to the teeth
• Always bring your retainer to each appointment.
• Do not flip the retainer with your tongue—this can damage your teeth and the appliance.
• Store your retainer in its protective case when not in use.
• Never wrap it in a tissue or napkin—it could easily be thrown away.
• Do not place it in your pocket—it may get lost or broken.
• Keep it away from heat—excessive heat can warp and ruin the retainer.

Elastics (Rubber Bands) Care

• Wear your elastics exactly as instructed by your orthodontist.
• Elastics should be worn full-time, unless otherwise directed.
• Inconsistent wear can cause prolonged soreness and will delay progress of treatment.
• Remove elastics while brushing, and replace them at least once or twice daily, or as advised.
• Soreness between appointments may indicate improper elastic wear, poor hygiene, or inconsistent use of headgear or other appliances.