Living with braces

We want your orthodontic journey to go as smoothly as possible. Here are our top tips on brace care to help you breeze through treatment.

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Brushing your teeth

Brushing your teeth with braces may take a bit longer, but it’s crucial to maintain your brushing routine. Food can easily get trapped in the brackets and archwires, so it’s important to know the best way to clean your teeth and prevent food and plaque buildup.

Start by choosing a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head. In the morning, we recommend a quick yet thorough brush using your regular toothbrush, starting at the back and working your way around your mouth from one side to the other.

Throughout the day, try to brush your teeth after every meal or snack. If you can't, at least rinse your mouth with water to remove any food that might be stuck in your braces.

Brushing your teeth

Night-time brushing routine

At night, or whenever you have extra time, spend at least 5 minutes giving your teeth a thorough cleaning. Start with the spiral brush. This is great for removing larger food particles and is essential for daily use to eliminate plaque from your teeth and gums.

Bend the wire part of the brush so that it forms a right angle with the handle, then direct the brush under the archwire of your braces. Using long strokes from the gums towards the biting edge of your teeth, brush 15 times from above one bracket to above the next.

Night-time brushing routine
  • Spiral left – Five strokes from the left side
  • Spiral middle – Five strokes straight up and down
  • Spiral right – Five strokes from the right side

Ensure the bristles are pressed firmly against your gums and the tooth above/below each bracket. Avoid pulling the brush against the archwire, as this will prevent the brush from reaching your gums properly and won't be effective.

After using the spiral brush between each bracket, follow up with your regular toothbrush as described earlier. Once you've finished brushing, check your teeth closely to make sure they look clean and shiny.

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Extra smile protection

While you have braces, we recommend using a fluoride mouth rinse once a week. Start by brushing your teeth as usual, then after rinsing out the toothpaste, take 5-10 ml of Fluorocare and swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds. Spit it out, but let the residue sit on your teeth for at least 30 minutes.

It’s best to do this right before bed, so the fluoride can work overnight to strengthen your teeth. A helpful tip is to make this part of your routine on the same night each week, such as Sunday nights, so you always remember.

If you play contact sports, we recommend using a re-mouldable mouthguard, which can be found at chemists or sports stores. Mouthguards protect your cheeks and lips from your braces in case of a facial impact.

Extra smile protection

  1. Care of fixed appliances

We recommend avoiding sticky foods, as they can cause your appliance to become loose. It’s also best to steer clear of eating sweets between meals, as this increases the risk of decay while the appliance is in your mouth.

When brushing, be sure to clean carefully around the wires and where the band meets your gums. If you're having trouble reaching the smaller areas, please consult our Dental Therapist for guidance on how to properly clean those hard-to-reach spots.

You can use floss under the wire by threading it through and using it as you normally would.

Care of fixed appliances

Care of removable appliances

When you first get a removable appliance, it may affect your speech for the first few days. However, try not to remove it, as this will help you get used to it more quickly. The only time it’s okay to remove it is when you’re singing or playing a wind instrument.

Every time you take the appliance out, rinse it with water to remove any saliva. This will prevent it from becoming slimy and difficult to clean. Twice a day, take it out and scrub it with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Avoid using hot water, as it can distort the appliance.

When not in use, always keep your aligners or appliance in its carry case. Never leave it in your pocket or bag, as it can easily get lost or damaged. Wrapping it in a tissue often leads to it being accidentally thrown away.

Care of removable appliances
Have more questions?

Have more questions?

Our team is happy to help. Give us a call on
(03) 4505 2524 or book an appointment with us today.

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