Extra time is needed with toothbrushing to make sure that all areas around the braces have been cleaned properly. Specialized brush tips are available to help get in between the braces and under the wires. Floss-threaders are helpful in passing floss under archwires to facilitate flossing of the teeth. Oral irrigators are often helpful to dislodge food debris from around the teeth. Over-the-counter mouth rinses can be used in conjunction with oral irrigators to help reduce the level of bacteria around the teeth.
The goal is to remove plaque from around the teeth and gums. It is the bacteria in plaque that is responsible for causing inflamed gum tissue (gingivitis) (see photo below), permanent scarring of enamel (decalcification) (see photo below), as well as tooth decay. Remember, braces don’t cause these problems, they just make cleaning the teeth more difficult.
For in-depth information, watch "The S.W.A.T. Team" (S.W.A.T. stands for Straight, White, Attractive Teeth) video and read "The Importance of Clean Teeth" brochure.
