Flossing Traditional Braces

In our previous post, Dr. Lis Bradley DDS taught patients how to properly brush with traditional braces. Now, it’s time to teach you how to properly floss. This technique will help keep harmful bacteria away from brackets and wires and protect your teeth and gums in the process. Patients with and without braces should aim for flossing at least once a day or after every meal.

• Use waxed floss, because unwaxed floss is more likely to get caught and shred in your braces.


• Use about 18 inches of floss and thread it carefully.


• Take the floss and gently thread it under the main wire of the braces before passing it between two teeth. Then remove the floss and re-thread it under the main wire to pass between the next pair of teeth.


• Be sure not to snap the floss. Simply move the floss up and down carefully against the side of each tooth.

If you have questions or concerns about orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.lisbradleydds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS in Brentwood, TN, call 615-778-0810.

Brushing with Braces

The importance of oral care is heightened when braces are applied to the teeth. This is because there are more spaces and places for food to get trapped. When food isn’t adequately brushed away, plaque will begin to accrue on enamel and can potentially cause periodontal disease for the patient. Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS and staff can’t monitor how much you brush, but we trust patients to follow this technique while aiming to brush at least twice a day.

• Prepare to brush – take off elastics, and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.


• Clean your braces – use your brush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush from the top of each wire and then from the bottom. Take time to ensure that all plaque and debris are removed.


• Brush your teeth – clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.

If you have questions or concerns about orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.lisbradleydds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS in Brentwood, TN, call 615-778-0810.