Brushing with Braces Described by Langley Orthodontics Specialist

Langley, BC – Patients with braces are investing a lot of time and money and should make sure their dental care habits help that investment pay off. Dr. Aly Kanani reminds his patients of this daily in his Langley orthodontics center. "Teeth with braces need particular care," he warns Dr. Aly Kanani. “Patients must be careful about what they eat and how they clean their teeth. If they fail to clean thoroughly, it can lead to cavities and gum disease. Teeth that are wearing braces are just more vulnerable."

Brushing

Patients can find "orthodontic-cut" or "v-cut" toothbrushes with soft bristles shaped to fit around braces. You also need to use a fluoride toothpaste; a fluoride rinse after brushing is also a good idea. "We recommend that you brush after each meal or snack," says Kanani, a Langley invisalign provider.

On every tooth, brush down from the top and then up from the bottom – keeping the brush at a 45 degree angle. But, brush gently; vigorous brushing can bend or break your braces. And, rinse and spit several times. Kanani, a Langley orthodontist, tells his patients to get a new brush every three months, since braces can cause brushes to wear out more rapidly.

"After brushing with a regular brush, patients should employ a proxabrush," observes Kanani, a Langley Invisalign expert. "Also called a ‘Christmas tree brush,’ it's tapered so it can clean between braces and under wires." Insert the brush between the two braces, first downward from the top and then upward from the bottom. Repeat the process with the next spot between braces; don't stop until each tooth has been brushed.

Flossing
It’s tricky to floss with braces. First, thread the end of the floss into the place between the archwire and the tooth's upper portion, nearest the gum. Slide the floss back and forth to gently clean each tooth’s sides. But, be careful not to exert too much pressure or you could hurt the archwire – and try not to snag the floss on your braces. "Many patients find that waxed floss and a floss threader make flossing easier," says Kanani, a Langley invisible braces expert.

Eating
Some foods aren't a problem if you slice them into small pieces that can be chewed more easily. But, you do want to avoid extremely hard, chewy, or sticky foods that could stick to or damage your braces. Such foods include:
• Foods that are difficult to bite and chew such as corn on the cob, ice, apples, and bagels
• Chewy foods, including taffy, caramels, and gum
• Hard foods such as nuts, carrots, and popcorn
Learn More about Vancouver, BC Invisalign with a Complimentary Consultation

Visit the websites of local Vancouver, BC, Surrey, BC, and Langley orthontists: www.langleyorthodontics.com, www.vancouverorthodontics.com or www.guildfordorthodontics.com. To speak with a staff member or schedule a complimentary consultation, call 1-604-533-6696 for Langley Orthodontics and Invisalign. For the Surrey BC orthodontics practice, call 1-604-589-2212. For a Vancouver Braces and Invisalign office, call 1-604-629-0452.

About Dr. Aly Kanani

Dr. Aly Kanani has a Bachelor's from McGill University and a Master's from the London School of Economics. He received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Pennsylvania – and graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy with a Master’s degree in Orthodontics and a Specialty Certification in Orthodontics. His team of orthodontists and clinical staff provide exceptional orthodontics and Invisalign for adults, teenagers, and children.

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