How to floss with braces
Braces can be challenging and take a lot of getting used to. Depending on the type of orthodontic treatment you choose, you may have to limit your diet or switch up your dental care routine. In today’s post, our dentists in Bolton give you their advice on how to care for your teeth while having braces, to ensure that they stay healthy while undergoing straightening treatment.
What can you eat with adult braces?
Depending on what orthodontic treatment you choose, you may need to make some changes to your diet when you have braces. If you have fixed braces like the Simply Smile brace, you should try to avoid hard or crunchy foods such as apples and nuts, and sticky, chewy foods like sweets and toffees, as these can easily cause damage to your braces.
If you have a removable brace system such as Invisalign aligners, then you don’t need to worry about changing your diet, as you should be removing your brace before eating or drinking (except for water). Just make sure that you are still brushing your teeth and cleaning your aligners thoroughly to avoid bacteria building up and going back into your mouth.
How to brush your teeth with braces
Brushing your teeth during your orthodontic treatment can seem challenging, as you still need to brush thoroughly, but be careful of the wires and brackets. Here’s our quick step by step guide for brushing your teeth with braces:
- First start gently brushing at the gumline at a 45-degree angle
- Place the toothbrush downwards on top of the bracket and gently brush the top
- Gently brush the bottom of the bracket using the same technique
- Brush gently in circular motions, making sure you’re brushing for the recommended 2 minutes
If you have removable Invisalign, the process is even more simple. You can remove your aligners to brush your teeth and then put them back in once you are done.
Tip: Rinsing your mouth with water after eating can help to dislodge any food that has got stuck in your braces, making the brushing process a little easier.
How to floss
Flossing with braces is particularly important as there are more gaps that food can get stuck in, and the metal brackets and wires can make some areas of your mouth difficult to reach with a toothbrush alone. If you find it difficult to use dental floss with braces, you can use a floss thread to make it easier, or try a different method such as interdental brushes or a water flosser.
Tip: Unwaxed floss is more likely to catch on your brackets and leave behind shreds, so if you’re using dental floss with braces, it’s best to use waxed floss.
Whether it’s fixed or removable braces you’d prefer, our dentists in Bolton can help you to find the teeth straightening solution for you. Get in touch to book an appointment with our team today.
