Best Ways to Clean with Braces

We feel that it is important to understand how and why you should take care of your teeth while wearing braces. The purpose of braces is to straighten your smile. We may be closing gaps between your teeth or easing some overcrowding issues. Whatever the reason for your braces, the end result is for you to have a great smile.

To attach braces, the orthodontist mounts small brackets on your teeth. The brackets provide anchoring points for archwires. The wires create tension to shift your teeth into new positions. Archwires are held in place by small elastic bands.

Because of the brackets and archwires used to shift your teeth into better positions, brushing and flossing become more difficult. Food particles can get trapped beneath the archwires and cause tooth decay. Damage to the wires can also be caused by aggressive brushing and improper flossing.

In order to protect the investment in your future smile, learning the proper way to care for your teeth and your braces during treatment is very important. It is also important to understand when an emergency exists with your new braces. If you have questions or are unsure about anything please do not hesitate to contact Holt Orthodontics. Our knowledgeable staff can answer your questions or verbally guide you through self-help.