Brushing & Flossing

Lowry Orthodontics in Denver Teaches Valuable Techniques

Everyone knows that proper oral hygiene plays a vital role in your health, but often, braces and other orthodontia get in the way of brushing and flossing. At Lowry Orthodontics in Denver, we want to ensure our patients know the best techniques to achieve thorough at-home teeth cleaning. We’re always happy to give you a hands-on lesson during your appointment, but we’ve also provided some tips and tricks below.

Need some brushing and flossing pointers in person? Contact us at (303) 366-9090 for an appointment.

Brushing & Flossing Your Teeth while Wearing Braces

Practicing good hygiene while sporting braces can be tricky, but it’s still important. When it comes to brushing your teeth, begin with the basics. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, and more if necessary. You can use an electric toothbrush, as well, but be careful to keep vibrations no higher than a medium speed and prevent the back of the brush from tapping your brackets and braces. Brush all surfaces of the teeth, and pay special attention to the areas between brackets and gums and between teeth and wires to catch any trapped food particles.

Try these tools to assist you with brushing and flossing:

• Interdental toothbrush – Also called a proxabrush, it resembles a tiny pipe cleaner and is helpful in cleaning the spaces under wires and around brackets and bands.
• Oral irrigator – More commonly known as a water pick, it shoots a small, pressurized stream of water to dislodge debris from nooks and crannies.
• Floss threader – It looks like a needle threader and serves a similar purpose, by helping thread the string of floss between teeth just above the gums.

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy during your orthodontic treatment period can help you achieve optimal results and can help prevent oral health issues in the future. We’re happy to assess how effectively you have been brushing and flossing—ask us during your next exam.

Call Lowry Orthodontics in Denver at (303) 366-9090 to book your next exam.