At-Home Braces Care Routine

The goal of having braces is to improve the overall health of the mouth and teeth and create a beautiful, confident smile. But if your child isn’t taking care of their teeth while the braces are on, they can quickly develop stains, cavities, and gum problems that can cause issues later in life. This is why it’s critical to follow the orthodontic braces care routine. What is an at-home braces care routine, and how does it differ from what they’ve done before braces?
1. Brush Regularly
When it comes to brushing with braces, it’s good to follow the two-by-two plan — brush twice a day for two minutes each time. Choose fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush. Have your child take off any rubber bands or other removable accessories and then get to work! For two minutes, start on the top and, using a gentle circular motion, begin moving the toothbrush across each tooth. As they brush, encourage them to move the brush down below the wires to get everything. Once they’ve done this across all the teeth on the top, move to the bottom teeth and repeat.
2. Floss and Mouthwash
Since a toothbrush won’t reach all of the crevices and cracks between each tooth, your child should floss once a day. Floss with a threader or other flossing aid to get in between each tooth and remove food particles the toothbrush may have missed. Then, once they’re done brushing and flossing, remind them to rinse with mouthwash to reach any stubborn areas needing extra attention.
3. Water Pik
Although they don’t replace flossing, oral irrigators such as the Water Pik can be an excellent adjunct to the braces oral hygiene regime. There is a bit of a learning curve with getting the hang of using a Water Pik, but once it is incorporated into the home routine, many patients love it. Oral irrigators can be a great tool to remove stubborn food debris that the toothbrush and floss missed.
4. Check the Mirror
Once those steps are complete, remind your child to stop and check out their smile in the mirror. They should look closely to make sure there aren’t any stubborn food particles that got left behind or overlooked. Also, check for any areas where wires may be sticking out or out of place. Checking the braces regularly is helpful because they can quickly identify problems and notify the orthodontist when something isn’t right. Once they’ve examined the top and bottom braces, they can reattach any elastic bands or removable accessories they took out before they began brushing.