5 Braces Hygiene Tips Everyone Should Know

You already know that maintaining good oral hygiene is “a must” in order to keep your smile healthy and attractive. But once Dr. Bailey puts braces on your teeth, you’ll have to take your oral hygiene up a notch because there will be more places for food and plaque to hide in all those nooks and crannies around your appliances. Here are five handy oral hygiene tips that will help keep you braces and teeth clean for a healthy smile during your orthodontic treatment.

1) Brush Your Braces like a Pro!

The task of brushing your teeth can be so routine that you may not give it much thought as you simply grab your toothbrush and give your teeth a good cleaning. However, now that you have braces on your teeth, you’ll need to really pay attention to what you’re doing with that toothbrush of yours. You should be spending at least two minutes brushing your teeth very well after every meal and before bedtime, paying extra attention to all those spaces around your bands and brackets and under the archwire.

2) Clean Those Tight Spots with An Interdental Brush

Your regular toothbrush may not be the right size or shape to get into all those tight spots around your braces where tiny pieces of food and plaque can accumulate. That’s why it’s a good idea to use an interdental brush or proxabrush that’s shaped like a little pine tree. Just take it cool when using the small brush so you don’t bend wires or loosen brackets.

3) Use a Floss Threader for Easy Flossing

We know it can be difficult to floss your teeth with braces using regular dental floss. That’s why we recommend using a floss threader. This is a simple tool that looks like a large plastic needle used for passing dental floss behind archwires and in otherwise impossible areas around your braces. Once you get the hang of using it, you’ll never consider using anything else to clean your braces!

4) Fight Inflammation & Bad Breath with an Antiseptic Mouthwash

A good way to reduce inflammation to your gums and cheeks due to rubbing brackets and wires is to rinse your mouth out after brushing & flossing with an antiseptic mouthwash. The rinse will help decrease any irritation that may develop from your braces, plus it will leave your breath smelling clean and fresh for an extra perk!

5) Carry a Handy Cleaning Kit with You

You’re not always going to be at home when it’s time to clean your teeth. That’s why it’s a good idea to carry a little kit with you that contains everything you’ll need to keep your braces and teeth clean like:

• Your toothbrush & toothpaste
• Your handy little interdental brush
• Floss and threader
• A small hand-held mirror

When it’s time to clean your teeth, just find the nearest restroom, pull out these items, and get to work cleaning your teeth and braces!

Contact Bailey Orthodontics!

By following these tips, you’ll never have any problems keeping your teeth and braces clean for good oral health during your treatment! If you haven’t yet started improving your smile, we’d be thrilled if you’d choose us for braces in Coppell, TX! In addition to serving the residents of Coppell, we also offer our orthodontic treatments to the residents of Irving, Lewisville, Carrollton, Flower Mound, and Grapevine, TX. Just get in touch with us today at so we can help you set up your first visit with Dr. Bailey. We’re anxious to meet you soon!