{"id":5629,"date":"2021-10-27T11:54:02","date_gmt":"2021-10-27T15:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carolinacompletedental.com\/?p=5629"},"modified":"2025-05-05T18:12:07","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T18:12:07","slug":"brushing-with-braces-cleaning-every-nook-cranny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carolinacompletedental.com\/blog\/brushing-with-braces-cleaning-every-nook-cranny\/","title":{"rendered":"Brushing with Braces: Cleaning Every Nook &#038; Cranny"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If <a href=\"\/services\/orthodontics\/\">braces<\/a> are in your future, or you have just had them placed, you may be wondering just how the heck to work around them when flossing and brushing. We\u2019d love to calm your mind by reminding you those wires and brackets are temporary visitors, hanging out to help correct the bite and achieve a smile anyone would feel confident flashing.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, there will be a learning curve while our favorite curve on your face is a work in progress, but Carolina Complete Dental is confident in your abilities and wants to fill you in on just how important it is to be diligent in your <a href=\"\/services\/family-dentistry\/#OralHygiene\">oral hygiene routine<\/a>\u2014while going through orthodontic treatment, and afterward, too!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bands, Brackets &amp; Wires\u2014Oh My!<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The anatomy of your mouth is more complex than what we see with our eyes alone, while the anatomy of your braces is fairly simple (and visible, unlike the pulp, nerves, and roots of your teeth). This might lead you to believe your typical hygiene regimen won\u2019t require much change. We hate to break it to you, but you may need to add some tools to your belt and skills to your resume. If it sounds intense, don\u2019t worry! Most Goose Creek patients\u2014adults, kids, and pre-teens alike become pros in no time.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your Trusty Techniques &amp; Tools<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The basics will remain largely the same\u2014a soft-bristled toothbrush and handy-dandy dental floss. A manual toothbrush will work, but you might prefer the ease of an electric or sonic toothbrush, which can maneuver itself around the hardware and withstand the wear a bit longer than their manual counterparts. You should be brushing gently already, but you\u2019ll find it\u2019s especially important with braces because brushing too hard can cause damage.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams advise to hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush gently along the gumline in small circles. With braces, however, you\u2019ll want to angle the bristles both upwards and downwards to be sure no food debris or plaque is left behind on the wire or brackets. You\u2019ll still want to brush in small circles and spend 25-30 seconds on each bracket. If you notice stubborn particles after you\u2019ve finished brushing, an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gumbrand.com\/between-teeth-cleaning\/interdental-brushes.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interdental toothbrush<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you remove them.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flawless Flossing<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the idea of flossing with so much in your way may seem tricky, once you nail the technique (we know you can do it!), you\u2019ll see it doesn\u2019t take much more time than flossing without braces. Waxed floss will be your best bet, as the unwaxed varieties are more likely to get caught and shred.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A length of 18 inches should work well. Thread the floss under the main wire of the braces. If for any reason this proves too difficult (maybe your fingers are too large or you\u2019ve got some shakiness), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gumbrand.com\/gum-eez-thru-floss-threaders-840a.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">floss threaders<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can simplify the process!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you weren\u2019t much of a flosser before braces and don\u2019t think you\u2019ll become a fan of the string method, water flossers (like the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.waterpik.com\/oral-health\/products\/dental-water-flosser\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WaterPik\u00ae<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) are a great option, too. These have been proven to work just as well, but aren\u2019t particularly convenient if you\u2019re at work or school.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mindful Eating<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember that while the benefits of braces are numerous, the number of foods you should avoid while wearing them are, too. Braces are a tried and true way to get your teeth in proper alignment, but they\u2019re not strong enough to endure hard, sticky, or crunchy foods. You also want to avoid nail biting or chewing on pens and pencils. Eating softer, enamel-friendly foods will protect your braces and your smile and make your hygiene routines easier to conduct!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Picture This<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visual reminders can be helpful if you\u2019re feeling frustrated throughout your orthodontic treatment, whether it\u2019s because of the dietary restrictions, the increased importance of your oral hygiene routine, the length of treatment, or the pain and discomfort that can come with your mouth\u2019s structural changes. We want your post-braces smile to be 100% worth it, and being thorough is the best way to ensure you\u2019ll be ready to proudly share your smile once you\u2019ve crossed the finish line. We can\u2019t wait to celebrate your new smile with you!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have any questions about oral hygiene routines while wearing braces, don\u2019t hesitate to <a href=\"\/contact-us\/\">contact your Goose Creek dentists, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams at Carolina Complete Dental<\/a> today!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If braces are in your future, or you have just had them placed, you may be wondering just how the heck to work around them when flossing and brushing. We\u2019d love to calm your mind by reminding you those wires and brackets are temporary visitors, hanging out to help correct the bite and achieve a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5630,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,4],"tags":[85],"class_list":["post-5629","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","category-patient-care","tag-brushing-with-braces"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Brushing with Braces in Goose Creek, SC | Carolina Complete Dental<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Goose Creek dentists, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams of Carolina Complete Dental inform patients about the best tools and tricks to use when performing oral hygiene routines with braces.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carolinacompletedental.com\/blog\/brushing-with-braces-cleaning-every-nook-cranny\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Brushing with Braces in Goose Creek, SC | Carolina Complete Dental\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Goose Creek dentists, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams of Carolina Complete Dental inform patients about the best tools and tricks to use when performing oral hygiene routines with braces.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carolinacompletedental.com\/blog\/brushing-with-braces-cleaning-every-nook-cranny\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Carolina Complete Dental Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-10-27T15:54:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-05-05T18:12:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"carolinacomplete\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"carolinacomplete\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carolinacompletedental.com\\\/blog\\\/brushing-with-braces-cleaning-every-nook-cranny\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carolinacompletedental.com\\\/blog\\\/brushing-with-braces-cleaning-every-nook-cranny\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"carolinacomplete\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carolinacompletedental.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/815c0f02c648eb720b112775fdc65675\"},\"headline\":\"Brushing with Braces: Cleaning Every Nook &#038; 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