If you have braces, brushing your teeth can be challenging. Since food particles and bacteria can easily become trapped in braces, it’s essential that you learn the proper way to brush your teeth while you have them on. The dentists at Oahu Dental Care, with locations in Pearl City and Honolulu, Hawaii, want to help you take care of your teeth during this transitional time. To learn how to tweak your oral hygiene routine while wearing braces, check out their list of must-know brushing tips.

5 Tips For Brushing Teeth With Braces

1. Brush Along The Gumline

It’s important that you brush along your gumlines when you have braces on. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and gently brush along both the bottom and top gums. Don’t forget to brush along the gumlines in the back of your mouth, too.

2. Brush The Brackets

To reach any food that may be stuck in your braces, brush each bracket and the tooth surfaces around them. Start by placing your toothbrush above each bracket, and while angling your toothbrush downwards, slowly and gently brush. Then, repeat this for the bottom of each bracket, angling up while brushing.

3. Brush The Back Side Of Teeth

Your braces shouldn’t affect your ability to reach the back side of your teeth, so you should brush them as you would normally. With a circular motion, brush the back of each tooth, up and down, and side to side.

4. Brush Surfaces Of Teeth

Always make sure you’re brushing the chewing surfaces of each tooth, not just their outer and inner faces. Again, use a circular motion to brush and ensure you reach the molars in the back of your mouth.

5. Brush For Two Minutes

Having braces isn’t an excuse to cut down your brushing time. In fact, it may even take you longer to brush to ensure you reach every area of your mouth. As a rule of thumb, you should brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes.

In addition to just brushing, orthodontists say you should also floss every day. Braces can make flossing difficult, so to make it easier you can purchase a floss threader, which allows you to get the floss under your braces’ wires. You can also use a soft dental pick to remove any food stuck between your teeth or in your braces.

Oahu Dental Care offers two locations in Pearl City and Honolulu, and they have the most experienced team of dentists and orthodontists to help you care for your teeth while wearing braces. For more helpful tips on brushing with braces, give them a call today at (808) 456-5005, or visit their website for more information.