My child just started braces. Can they still brush and floss between his teeth?
Yes. Your pediatric dentist or the orthodontist should show and teach you and your child how to brush and floss the teeth while he/she is having braces. It is unfortunate to have straight teeth with cavities, or spots on them after braces. Maintaining good oral hygiene helps minimizing discomfort during braces, and helps moving teeth easier with braces. There are special tooth-brushes for people having braces. In addition, there are tools to aid in flossing with braces. Using a mouth-wash that has Fluoride is a good adjunct to a regular brushing and flossing. Using a “water-pik” or an electric tooth-brush may help. But it is not necessary. While your child is having braces, the pediatric dentist may recommend seeing your child more frequently than once every six months for regular check-ups and cleaning.
