Children often view brushing and flossing as a chore, but their oral hygiene is more important than ever before once they have their braces. Food debris and plaque can get trapped in their brackets and wires, which can harm their dental health. You don’t want their orthodontic journey to come back to haunt your little one’s smile. Here’s how to ensure your child is brushing and flossing correctly.
Brushing and Flossing are Important
Your child will need to improve their oral hygiene while wearing braces. Food residue and plaque can get trapped around their brackets, feeding cavity-causing bacteria that can erode their enamel. No amount of brushing can reverse tooth decay. Not to mention, poor oral hygiene can lead to tooth stains. When it’s time for their braces to come off, they can be left with white squares when their brackets were bonded to their teeth.
Brushing with Braces
It may take a few days for your little one to get the hang of brushing with braces. Here’s how to ensure they are brushing correctly:
- Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush that accommodates the size of your child’s mouth.
- Your child should rinse their mouth with water before brushing to loosen and dislodge food from around their braces.
- Your little one will need to hold their toothbrush at a 45-degree angle from the gum line to clean above the brackets.
- They’ll need to angle their toothbrush upwards to clean underneath the brackets.
- Ensure your child is brushing every tooth at the gum line to keep their gums healthy.
Flossing with Braces
Despite the brackets and wires, your little one still needs to floss their teeth. Flossing can be a little trickier, but here’s how to ensure they are cleaning correctly:
- A floss threader will make it easier to get the floss past their archwire to clean between their teeth and around their gum line.
- A water irrigator is an excellent alternative to traditional floss. It pushes food particles and plaque from hard-to-reach places.
- Finish their flossing routine with an antimicrobial mouthwash to kill bacteria their toothbrush and floss couldn’t reach.
Your orthodontist will instruct your child to brush and floss in the morning, at night, and after every meal. Don’t forget to schedule a cleaning and checkup every 6 months. Their pediatric dentist will monitor their dental health to keep their teeth and gums healthy while benefiting from braces.
About Dr. Aaron DeMaio
Dr. DeMaio received his dental degree from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine and has completed his orthodontic training at the Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston. Dr. DeMaio strives for excellence and is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Association of Orthodontists. Request an appointment through his website or contact his office.