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6 Top Tips for Brushing and Flossing with Braces

While brushing and flossing your teeth are always important oral hygiene habits, they become absolutely essential when you wear braces.

As bacteria in your mouth consume bits of food, they make acids that eat away at your tooth enamel and cause cavities. Bacteria cause other problems too, from bad breath to gum disease. The less food bacteria can consume, the fewer dental problems you’ll experience.

Removing food can be a particular challenge if you wear braces, though, since food can get stuck in wires and brackets. Because cleaning your teeth is so important, our Boca Raton, FL orthodontists are sharing here some of our favorite tips for brushing and flossing with braces.

If you have any questions about brushing and flossing with braces, let us know when you visit Smiles by Dr. W and Dr. R at either of our two locations: Boca Raton or Coral Springs, FL. Or call us at 561-327-6775.

In the meantime, here are our top six tips for brushing and flossing with braces.

Tip No. 1: Use the Right Toothbrush

Either an electric or a manual toothbrush will work fine for brushing teeth with braces. It’s important to get a brush with soft bristles and a small head that will be easy to maneuver around wires and brackets. We recommend using a toothbrush with the ADA (American Dental Association) Seal of Approval, since that means it’s been tested by the ADA for safety and performance.

You’ll probably also want to replace your toothbrush more frequently than usual, as the bristles can get frayed pretty quickly on your brackets and wires.

Tip No. 2: Cover All Tooth Surfaces

When brushing with braces, it’s important to cover all your tooth surfaces. We suggest rinsing your mouth out with water before you start brushing to get rid of any loose particles. Remove any elastics, bands, or other removable parts of your orthodontia.

Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. Use circular motions to clean the front and back surfaces of your teeth and switch to back-and-forth motions for the chewing surfaces of your upper and lower teeth. Make sure you brush between the wires and your teeth.

You should brush for at least two to three minutes. If you’re using an electric toothbrush, some of them have timers. Or you can use the timer function on your smartphone instead.

Tip No. 3: Consider Using Special Tools

Cleaning around brackets and wires can be tough. You can try some special tools that may help. Interdental toothbrushes have small tufts of bristles that look almost like a pipe cleaner. They can more easily get into the spaces under your wires and around bands and brackets. Just be gentle when using one so you don’t damage your wires.

You might also want to try an oral irrigator, often called a water pick. It shoots a small stream of pressurized water at your teeth, so it can help dislodge bits of food that become trapped in tight spaces. The oral irrigator isn’t a substitute for a toothbrush or dental floss, though, so you’ll want to use it only as a supplement to those tools.

Tip No. 4: Don’t Forget About Flossing

Flossing with braces can seem especially tricky. How do you get the floss under the wire of your braces? We suggest using waxed floss, which will be less likely to get caught in your braces. And also use a floss threader, a device that looks like a big plastic sewing needle and makes it easier to floss under your wires. You pull one end of floss through the threader and then push it under the wire. Then you can grab the floss on either end and slide it up and down.

We also recommend flossing before turning in for the night. That way, you’re less likely to miss any food particles that have gotten stuck in your teeth during the day.

Tip No. 5: Skip Whitening Products

While you are wearing braces, don’t use whitening toothpaste or whitening mouthwash.

Whitening products will only work on the places they touch. So you could have uneven color when your braces get removed. Areas under wires and brackets likely won’t match the rest of your tooth surfaces.

Tip No. 6: Avoid Problematic Foods

You can make brushing and flossing with braces easier by avoiding problematic foods. It’s a good idea to cut back on sugary foods and beverages like soda as much as possible. Don’t chew gum or ice. And avoid foods that are sticky or otherwise tough to chew, like apples, caramels, corn on the cob, and popcorn.

Any questions on caring for your braces? Call Smiles by Dr. W and Dr. R at 561-327-6775 or use our online form.

Brush and Floss with Braces to Beat Bad Breath [VIDEO]

If there’s one thing that can make you self-conscious, it’s bad breath. And if you’re already feeling a bit self-conscious because you wear braces or other orthodontia, the last thing you want is to feel even more embarrassed.

Bad breath, or halitosis, can have a number of causes. This video from the American Dental Association explains several of them. The most common, though, is something called volatile sulfur compounds. These stinky compounds are released when bacteria consumes bits of food in your mouth.

That’s why it’s so important to brush and floss your teeth regularly. If bacteria in your mouth have fewer food particles to feast on, you’ll have fewer volatile sulfur compounds. It’s especially important to brush and floss with braces to remove bits of food that can get caught in them.

Our Boca Raton, FL orthodontists are happy to show you how to brush and floss with braces on your next visit to either of our two offices. To schedule an appointment at Smiles by Dr. W and Dr. R, call 561-327-6775.

How We Handled This Patient’s Orthodontic Emergency [VIDEO]

Life is unpredictable, but it helps to know where to find support when accidents happen!

That’s what Iris learned when she needed help with an orthodontic emergency.

In today’s video blog, Iris talks about her experience with our team at Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R in Boca Raton, FL.

You’ll be amazed to learn how far our orthodontists will go to help you when life throws unexpected mishaps your way!

Count on us when you need emergency orthodontic care. Call Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R at 561-327-6775 or schedule an appointment by filling out our convenient online form.

Why You Should Address Your Teeth Grinding [VIDEO]

High-quality orthodontic treatment requires a team of skilled professionals with diverse training.

That’s what you get with us at Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R in Boca Raton, FL!

We go much further in treating patients with problems ranging from crooked teeth to very complex bite issues.

One of those problems is teeth grinding, and here’s a quick video message from Dr. Rothstein about why it’s so important to let us address it.

If you’ve been grinding your teeth, come to us for solutions that will save your smile!

Call Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R at 561-327-6775 or fill out our convenient online form to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Why You Should Choose An Orthodontist For Braces [INFOGRAPHIC]

Once you’ve resolved to straighten your teeth, you face another important decision.

That’s who to trust for your orthodontic treatment.

One of the biggest changes to dentistry over the years is that many general practices offer braces, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best place to go for treatment.

Our specialists at Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R in Boca Raton, FL have the skills and focused training to give you a more comprehensive treatment plan for your orthodontic journey.

Here’s an infographic that lists four reasons you should choose an orthodontist over a general dental practice for your smile!

Call Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R at 561-327-6775 or fill out our convenient online form to schedule a complimentary consultation, and find out which of our services will work for you!

2 Important Factors To Consider About Orthodontics [BLOG]

Choosing to finally explore solutions for your crooked teeth is an important decision, especially as an adult.

Maybe all you can picture is how you’d look with metal braces. And you might imagine driving back and forth every month for the next couple of years to have your wires tightened.

For some, that may be worth it. They’re willing to go through all of that if it means they’ll finally love what they see when they look in the mirror.

But it’s important that you know all your options.

You can find the best, most varied selection of orthodontic treatments at Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R in Boca Raton, FL!

Here are two important factors to think about if you’re considering taking the first step toward the right orthodontic treatment for you.

Standard Metal Braces Aren’t Your Only Option

You might only be familiar with the metal braces all your friends wore in middle and high school. But braces have come such a long way in the last several years.

Adults like you have more options, which is especially nice given your unique needs.

If you’re a professional who’s concerned about how wearing braces might affect your credibility, you may not like the thought of running a meeting or giving a presentation looking like a teenager.

You want to be taken seriously and are worried braces might compromise that.

It’s a perfectly understandable concern, which is why you’ll appreciate our various discreet methods to straighten your teeth, such as:

*Clear Ceramic Braces

*Lingual Braces

*Invisalign

Another advantage of a wider treatment selection is that our modern technology helps move your teeth along faster than traditional metal braces. Using state-of-the-art design strategies, we can provide additional, sophisticated preparation so your treatment is completed in a significantly shorter time than you might think.

That’s an obvious advantage since you’re too busy to miss work all the time to travel to your adjustment appointments for the next few years!

The Right Team Will Help You Choose The Right Plan

You should feel comfortable with your treatment, and that includes method, time, and your financial investment.

At Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R will always be your best advocates because earning your trust is a top priority. We want to be your source for a straight, beautiful smile, as well as the smiles of your everyone in your household.

We’ll take a thorough look at your needs, whether you have complex alignment problems, complicated bite issues, or simply need to shift your teeth into their proper place. Then we’ll go over your options so you can decide which will suit your goals, lifestyle, and budget best!

Call Us Today For A Consultation!

If you’re ready to take the first step toward your dream smile, then put your treatment in the hands of the best orthodontists in Boca Raton, FL at Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R!

With our innovative strategies and modern technology, your smile will look amazing and you’ll feel your confidence soar.

The sooner you get started, the sooner you can start showing off your new smile!

To book your complimentary consultation, call Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R at 561-327-6775 or fill out our convenient online form.

Get The Orthodontic Results You Want [PHOTO]

When you’re ready to get your child started on braces or other orthodontic treatment, you have many options available to you in the Boca Raton, FL area.

That’s why our team at Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R goes above and beyond to earn your trust with our top-notch professional guidance and our state-of-the-art technology.

The investment in your child’s smile is an important one, and you deserve to see a return on your investment.

Here’s just one example of the kind of results you can expect when you bring your family to us!

To learn more about our various orthodontic services in Boca Raton, call Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R at 561-327-6775 or fill out our convenient online form to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Should I Get Traditional Braces? [QUIZ]

With all the options in modern orthodontics, knowing which treatment you should pursue can seem overwhelming.

That’s why you should come to Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R in Boca Raton, FL!

Our experienced orthodontists know exactly how to diagnose your alignment problems and issues with the position of your teeth. You’ll receive a complimentary consultation with someone from our team so we can find the right solution for your smile.

Today, you can take our brief quiz to see if traditional braces, one of our most popular options, might be the right treatment for you.

Call Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R at 561-327-6775 or fill out our convenient online form to schedule a complimentary consultation.

3 Innovative Ways To Straighten Your Teeth [BLOG]

Today, our team at Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R are making sure you’re updated on modern techniques and materials in orthodontics.

So we’re sharing some of our most progressive treatment options if you’re ready to straighten your smile!

3 Innovative Ways To Straighten Your Teeth!

You have several options in orthodontic treatment at Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R in Boca Raton, FL.

That’s thanks to our commitment to housing the latest in dental technology. We’re able to straighten teeth faster and more comfortably than you’re likely to find in a typical dental office.

Here are just three innovative ways to get the smile you want when you trust your treatment plan to our team!

#1 – Lingual Braces

One of the most progressive modern orthodontic strategies is to straighten your teeth from behind using lingual braces.

That’s right!

These are brackets and wires that are bonded to the back of your teeth, which is why they’re called lingual braces, meaning they’re on the side by your tongue.

Your orthodontic treatment should not only do its job of properly aligning your teeth, and jaw if necessary, so you’re proud of your smile at the end.

But it’s not just about the outcome for our team at Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R.

We want you to be as comfortable and confident as possible while you’re going through it.

As an adult, you’re mature and sensible enough to delay gratification if it means you’ll have the smile you want when treatment is complete. But at the same time, you also might have concerns about how you’ll look with standard metal braces for everyone to see.

That’s why many patients choose lingual braces in our Boca Raton, FL dental office.

By staying hidden behind your teeth, you can straighten your teeth discreetly and not have to sacrifice your appearance or confidence.

#2 – Clear Ceramic Braces

Similar to traditional braces, ceramic braces will move your teeth into the right position using brackets and wires.

Only this treatment relies on clear brackets and wires instead of the obvious dark metal you’re used to seeing teens wear. The ceramic material won’t take on stains and the wires will match the natural color of your teeth so you can feel more secure about your appearance while wearing them.

Again, adults love this option because it’s less noticeable, yet just as effective an orthodontic option.

Like metal braces, clear ceramic braces will:

*Correct overcrowding

*Shift your teeth into the right position

*Close gaps in your smile

*Solve alignment issues like crossbites

It’s just another innovative method you’ll find in our Boca Raton, FL orthodontist office!

#3 – Invisalign

Perhaps one of the most significant changes in modern orthodontic treatment is the use of clear aligner therapy.

Invisalign is one of our top picks for patients who don’t need the extensive alignment correction needs some people have that would require braces and much longer treatment.

Using a series of plastic trays custom-made at the beginning stage of treatment, Invisalign relies on gentle shifting as you switch to a new tray to straighten crooked teeth.

Did you catch that?

You can take the aligners off! Not only are they practically invisible, but you can remove the trays so you can eat, brush, and floss easily! It’s an ideal choice among adult patients who just don’t feel comfortable with the thought of wearing brackets and wires.

Schedule A Consultation!

Whichever treatment option you choose, you can trust that our orthodontists will provide you with the most advanced, efficient, and quality care you deserve.

Our team’s specialty is giving you the straight smile and comfortable bite you want and the healthy smile you need to feel and look your best!

To learn more about our advanced, innovative orthodontic treatments in Boca Raton, call Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R at 561-327-6775 or fill out our convenient online form to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Why Tiffany Chose Invisalign For Her Smile [VIDEO]

Even though Tiffany wore braces for six years as a child, her teeth had shifted by the time she reached her thirties.

That’s when she decided to reach out to Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R.

Listen to Tiffany talk about her experience with Invisalign and why she’s glad she trusted our team in Boca Raton, FL!

Get the straight smile you want! Call Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R at 561-327-6775 or fill out our convenient online form to schedule your complimentary consultation.