Brushing & Flossing

It is especially important to take good care of your teeth and gums while undergoing orthodontic treatment. A major part of successful orthodontic treatment lies in maintaining general dental health. Good oral hygiene will help keep your treatment on track and allow your beautiful, healthy smile to last even longer. If you are unsure about which toothbrush or floss is right for you, don’t hesitate to ask us for input. The Pinecrest Orthodontic team is always happy to help guide our patients at every turn.

During orthodontic treatment we recommend brushing at least three times a day for two minutes. You should use a soft, compact toothbrush and gently brush with fluoride toothpaste. We also highly recommend using an electric toothbrush with orthodontic attachment heads.  To effectively brush your teeth, use small, gentle, circular motions as you cover every tooth, and position your toothbrush’s head at a 45-degree angle to your gumline. Pay particularly close attention to the areas around your brackets or other appliances as these areas can be easily overlooked.

Daily flossing is an important component of good dental health. Flossing with braces can be somewhat cumbersome, but is a key component to keeping gums healthy during treatment. Flossing with braces requires the use of floss threaders to thread the floss underneath the archwire. Once the floss is threaded, wrap the ends around your pointer fingers with a few inches of floss between them. Then, gently slide the floss between every tooth and its neighbor, from the gumline to the top of the tooth. For those with limited dexterity, a water flosser may be a good alternate solution to floss.

In addition to brushing and flossing, we also recommend the use of interproximal brushes or "Christmas tree" brushes that fit between the brackets.  These small brushes will help to remove any plaque and debris between the brackets and hidden by the orthodontic wire. Additionally, the use of a fluoride rinse such as ACT® Anticavity rinse is recommended to be used nightly. Fluoride rinses help prevent cavities and white spots that can form on teeth around the braces as a result of poor oral hygiene during treatment.

At Pinecrest Orthodontics, each patient’s success is personal for us. We want to help support and encourage you through your orthodontic treatment. Our office is always available to answer questions or clarify anything related to our patients’ orthodontic care.  If you are considering seeking orthodontic treatment, contact our office today. We can schedule a convenient time for a free consultation, and get you on the path to the beautiful, healthy smile you’ve always wanted! We are proud to be the local Pinecrest orthodontic team, and also happily serve the communities of Pincrest, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay, Kendall and South Miami.