Your Guide to Braces Care: Tips from Dr. Maddie Philips

Hi everyone! I’m Dr. Maddie Philips at PT Orthodontics, and I’m thrilled to talk with you today about caring for your braces. Remember, this is a partnership—we'll do our part to straighten your teeth, but it's just as important that you do your part to keep them clean and healthy. Let’s dive into some essential tips for your smile journey!

The Importance of Oral Hygiene

"It’s really important that you keep your teeth nice and clean for us." Proper brushing helps prevent white spots or scars on your teeth, which, unfortunately, don’t go away. "This is what it looks like in this picture here. You have nice clean teeth. If you don’t brush, especially around the gum line, what can happen are these scars here in this lower picture. We do not want those."

We’ll check your progress at every appointment and remind you to brush, but it’s up to you to maintain good habits at home.

How to Brush Effectively with Braces

"The place that I see people miss the most often is right around the gum line." When brushing, avoid brushing straight across your teeth. Instead:

1. Angle upwards: "You want to brush angle upwards to get underneath the wire."

2. Massage your gums: "Tilt downwards, starting at your gums, and think about almost massaging your gums."

Brushing thoroughly helps remove food and bacteria that can cause scarring. "What those white spots are is food and bacteria left around those brackets. The bacteria eat that food, create acid, and that acid actually scars your teeth."

Avoid Sugary Drinks

"One way to avoid getting those white spots is to minimize any sugary soda or drinks with your braces. If you do drink them, at the minimum, rinse your mouth out with water afterward, and we’d prefer if you could brush your teeth."

Manual or Electric Toothbrush?

"One question I get a lot is: Should I use a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush? Personally, I love the electric toothbrush—it gets a lot more scrubs for each brush you do." Whatever tool you choose, consistency is key: "Brush at least twice a day, and if you can, three times is even better."

The Importance of Flossing

Flossing with braces takes extra effort, but it’s essential. "We provide you these little floss threaders to help go underneath the wire. Floss every contact of your teeth—it does take time, but it’s very important."

Using Wax for Comfort

"Braces can be a little uncomfortable, especially the first few weeks. We provide wax to protect your cheeks and lips." Here’s how to use it:

1. Dry the bracket with a paper towel.

2. Pinch off a small piece of wax, roll it into a ball, and place it on the bracket.

For ulcers, "warm salt water rinses can help." Over time, your cheeks and lips will "toughen up to the braces, similar to how your fingers develop calluses when playing guitar."

Managing Discomfort

"It’s normal to have a little discomfort with your braces—it’s a good sign that your teeth are moving and aligning beautifully." If needed, you can take Tylenol or Advil for relief.

We’re so excited to help you along your smile journey! With these tips, you’ll keep your teeth clean, healthy, and on track to a stunning new smile. 💙