Proper oral care is essential during orthodontic treatment. Brackets and wires create areas where food particles can easily become trapped, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease. To keep your teeth and braces healthy, follow these guidelines:

Brush after every meal: This helps remove food particles and plaque that can build up around your braces, leading to staining and bacteria growth.

Use a floss threader: This tool aids in navigating the wires and brackets. Then, thread dental floss through the floss threader like a needle. Carefully insert the pointed end of the threader or floss between your teeth, ensuring it goes below the archwire. Once the floss is in place, move it back and forth to clean both sides of the teeth on either side of the insertion point. Avoid exerting excessive pressure on the archwire. Continue this process for all your teeth to guarantee a complete cleaning.

To ensure optimal cleaning of your teeth and braces, follow these brushing techniques:

Brushing with a Regular Soft Brush:

1. Brush Down from the Top: Start by brushing down from the top of each tooth, ensuring you clean the areas around each bracket.
2. Brush Up from the Bottom: Next, brush up from the bottom of each tooth, making sure to dislodge any food particles and plaque trapped by the brackets.
3. Thorough Coverage: Ensure you clean all areas around each bracket thoroughly.

Using a Proxabrush (Christmas Tree Brush):

1. Initial Brushing: After using a regular toothbrush, use a proxabrush to clean between each bracket.
2. Insert and Brush: Insert the proxabrush between two brackets, below the archwire, and brush up and down several times.
3. Alternate Insertion: Repeat the brushing motion by inserting the brush from the opposite side, either down from the top or up from the bottom.
4. Complete Cleaning: This technique ensures all sides of the brackets and wires are thoroughly cleaned.