Brushing your teeth regularly is even more important with braces than without because food can so easily become trapped in your braces’ wires and brackets. This is why we recommend brushing 3 times a day with braces, or after each meal.

• Begin brushing at the top of each tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and then move up from the bottom. Use small, circular, angled motions to help you reach the surface under the braces’ wires.
• Next, use a proxabrush (sometimes called a “Christmas tree” brush) to remove any remaining food caught in your braces. Insert the brush in between your braces arch wires and the tooth’s surface, sweeping back and forth several times to ensure cleanliness.
• Use a floss threader to aid in the flossing process. Thread your floss through the eye of the threader, and slide the threader between your arch wire and tooth. Pull floss through, and continue with normal flossing procedure.
• Finally, you may want to use a fluoride rinse for extra dental care hygiene. This will wash away any remaining food particles and clean areas a toothbrush can’t reach.

Once you have had your braces taken off, remember to take proper care of your retainer. Clean it with a spare toothbrush every time you brush your teeth, and use a disinfectant on it at least once a week.