Brushing and Flossing with Braces

It’s always important to maintain great oral hygiene, but it’s especially important with braces, as food and plaque have more places to hide.

You should brush and floss at least two times per day for at least two minutes each time. Make sure to cover all surfaces, including the front, back, side, and gum line. Use small circular motions to gently polish teeth. To brush the gum line, tilt brush at an angle toward the gums.

A fundamental oral hygiene routine for braces should include:

  • Soft bristle brush
  • Fluoride toothpaste
  • Floss

Flossing can be tricky with braces, but here is a list of special tools that can help:

  • Proxabrush ®: Shaped like a vertical brush, a Proxabrush can move food quickly and easily from between brackets.
  • Floss Threader: Similar to the way you might thread a needle, a floss threader is a plastic “needle” that guides the floss underneath the wire.
  • Superfloss: Superfloss has an extra-durable tip to make it easier for you to insert underneath the wire.
  • Platypus and Harp Orthodontic Flosser: These are by far the fastest and easiest way to floss with braces. They are made of plastic and hold floss taut, so that you can easily move underneath wires. The platypus is completely straight, while the harp flosser is at a 90-degree angle, making it easier for molars and the back of the mouth.
  • Water Pick: A water flosser is a device that provides a constant stream of water to move food and debris from your teeth and gum line.

Brushing and flossing enables you to get the best results from your orthodontic treatment, and keeps your teeth healthy and strong.

Our Location

Find us on the map

Hours of Operation

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

We value our patients’ feedback. Read below what our happy patients say about us!

  • "Absolutely love my dentist and dental hygienist. If you want a knowledgeable, kind, and trustworthy dental clinic to go to this is the place!"
  • "Great staff: Courteous, professional, efficient. The office and treatment spaces are clean and comfortable. Dr. Courrier knows what he is doing and the entire staff is focused on my care while l am there. They seem to keep things on schedule, so l haven't experienced any waiting. The reception support staff has helped me to better understand my insurance benefits and utilize them efficiently. Thank You!"
  • "I’ve been going to see Dr. Courrier for over 20 years now. I always feel like family when I visit his office. He is amazing. Gentle. Knowledgeable. And his staff is kind and wonderful as well. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a change or new to the area."
  • "Everyone in the office was incredibly kind and knowledgeable. They helped me feel comfortable through my dental anxiety, and Dr. Courrier did great work fixing my tooth"
  • "I have been going to this dentist for over 25 years as have my kids. Jen is a fabulous hygienist, I suffer with TMJ issues and so she’s always sensitive to making sure that the work she does doesn’t affect my jaw issues. I would recommend Dr. Courrier and Dr. Boggeri dental services to anyone, they are fabulous"
  • "Great staff, they make you feel comfortable and at ease during your visit. Will definitely recommend to family and friends!!!"