Brushing with Braces

After brushing your teeth for many years, you probably have your oral hygiene routine down pat. But now it’s time to straighten your smile with traditional braces and that routine has been thrown for a loop. Proper dental care with orthodontics takes a little extra effort which is why our doctors at Flossophy dental want to teach you the following tips on how to brush your teeth with braces.

• Prepare to brush – take off elastics (rubber bands) and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.


• Clean your braces – Use your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush from the top of each wire and then from the bottom.


• Brush your teeth – Clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Do this for about 10 seconds. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.


• Floss once a day – Carefully thread the floss under or over the main wire of your braces, taking care not to get it stuck. Then thread the floss through the wire to reach in between the spaces of your teeth.

If you have further questions about maintaining proper dental hygiene with braces, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.flossophydental.ca for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Flossophy Dental in Edmonton, AB, call 780-306-9333.