Brushing and Flossing with Braces

It’s always important to maintain great oral hygiene, but it’s especially important with braces, as food and plaque have more places to hide.

You should brush and floss at least two times per day for at least two minutes each time. Make sure to cover all surfaces, including the front, back, side, and gum line. Use small circular motions to gently polish teeth. To brush the gum line, tilt brush at an angle toward the gums.

A fundamental oral hygiene routine for braces should include:

  • Soft bristle brush
  • Fluoride toothpaste
  • Floss

Flossing can be tricky with braces, but here is a list of special tools that can help:

  • Proxabrush ®: Shaped like a vertical brush, a Proxabrush can move food quickly and easily from between brackets.
  • Floss Threader: Similar to the way you might thread a needle, a floss threader is a plastic “needle” that guides the floss underneath the wire.
  • Superfloss: Superfloss has an extra-durable tip to make it easier for you to insert underneath the wire.
  • Platypus and Harp Orthodontic Flosser: These are by far the fastest and easiest way to floss with braces. They are made of plastic and hold floss taut, so that you can easily move underneath wires. The platypus is completely straight, while the harp flosser is at a 90-degree angle, making it easier for molars and the back of the mouth.
  • Water Pick: A water flosser is a device that provides a constant stream of water to move food and debris from your teeth and gum line.

Brushing and flossing enables you to get the best results from your orthodontic treatment, and keeps your teeth healthy and strong.

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Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Saturday:

7:30 am-2:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Our Happy Clients

Here’s what our happy clients are saying:

  • "Dr. Garrett and his staff are great. He carefully explains everything to you in detail. I never met someone that genuinely cares about their patients. He and his sister’s make your visit to the dentist as painless as possible. I always hated going to the dentist as a child. However I would recommend going to visit Dr. Garrett and his staff."
    Edmund
  • "Seriously the BEST dentist I have ever been to. A very friendly and knowledgeable staff and relaxing atmosphere."
    Galen
  • "The front desk staff is AMAZING. I always get a reminder call 2 days before my appointment. How wonderful is this? All the staff at Uehara Family Cosmestic Dentistry are friendly, helpful, and just always smiling."
    Annie
  • "I’m honored to be able to be the first one to review this place! After months and months of searching, I was finally able to find the best dentist ever! I go to Dr. Jill, but all of the dentists here are wonderful, as I have been worked on them at one time or another because of days of availability or emergencies, or what have you. First things first, my favorite hygenist (I believe her name is Tess) is the best dental hygenist I have ever had! She is sweet, low-key, and always does a phenomenal job!"
    Anonymous