Brushing

Step1: Start with the outside of the teeth, with the brush at straight angle. Use circular, vibrating motions.

Step2: Clean the area between the gums and braces by angling the brush as necessary. Keep moving in a small circular motion.

Step3: Clean the rest of the outside of the teeth by angling the brush up (down for the lower jaw).

Step4: Carefully brush the chewing surface of both the upper and lower jaw.

Step5: Finish by brushing the inside of the teeth.

Flossing

Step1: Floss at least once a day. The floss needs to be pulled under the archwire. A floss threader facilitates this. Start by pulling floss through the threader.

Step2: Push the end of the floss threader under the arch wire and pull the floss through.

Step3: Pull the floss up between the teeth and gently move it up and down the side of both teeth. Remember to move it up all the way under the gums.

Step4: Pull the floss out and use a different section of it for the next tooth.

Interdental Toothbrush

An interdental toothbrush (Proxabrush®) is another aid you might find useful in keeping your teeth, braces and gums clean and healthy. It can be used to clean under orthodontic wires and around braces. Use this device slowly and carefully, so you do not damage your braces.

Retainer Care

During the retention phase, it is important to brush your retainers every time you brush your teeth as they can accumulate food particles and plaque.

Once a day, you should soak your appliance in a glass of room-temperature tap water with a denture-cleaning tablet, such as Polident® or Efferent®. This will help prevent plaque build-up and oral infections and will keep your appliance tasting better. DO NOT use hot water as it can distort the appliance.

Food Guidelines

Your teeth may be a little sore for the first week in braces, so we recommend sticking to a soft food diet until the discomfort subsides. While in braces, you can still eat just about anything although there are a few exceptions.

You should avoid hard foods, such as ice, corn nuts and hard crusts of bread or pizza, as well as sticky foods, including taffy and caramels. These foods can damage wires and brackets. It is also important to minimize foods high in sugar content, like candy and cookies, and reduce soda consumption to once a day.