How to Properly Brush and Floss for Optimal Oral Health

Maintaining exceptional oral hygiene can be complex for children and teenagers, but it’s especially difficult for those with braces. To teach your children how to care for their teeth, we’ve created step-by-step guides on brushing and flossing techniques for optimal oral health. At Boley Braces, we serve children and teenagers in Cincinnati and Harrison, OH, and we’re here to provide valuable tips to ensure your child has a flawless smile.

How to Properly Brush Your Teeth

Understanding how to brush your teeth properly is pivotal in maintaining good oral hygiene and health. This is particularly true for children and teenagers, who are still developing good habits and routines that they will carry into adulthood.

Choosing the Right Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Children and teenagers should use toothbrushes with soft bristles and a small head that can easily fit into their mouths. Non-electric toothbrushes should have a handle that is easy to grip. For those with braces, orthodontic toothbrushes with V-cut bristles can help clean around brackets and wires.

Select a brand of toothpaste that contains fluoride and is approved by the American Dental Association.

Brushing Techniques for Children and Teenagers

Here’s a step-by-step guide for a proper brushing technique:

Wet your toothbrush and apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums.
Brush in a circular motion, making sure to cover each tooth and the gum line. Be gentle to avoid harming your gums.
Carefully brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
Rinse thoroughly with water to wash away any dislodged particles and remaining toothpaste.
Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if the bristles become worn out.

Children and teens with braces should brush their teeth extra carefully above and below brackets and wires to prevent plaque buildup and staining.

How to Floss Effectively

Brushing is only half the battle against plaque and gum disease. Flossing can reach areas that a toothbrush can’t, making it a critical part of oral hygiene.

Flossing doesn’t just dislodge food particles stuck between your teeth; it also scrapes off plaque and stirs up bacteria, preventing them from hardening into tartar, a leading cause of gum disease. Flossing is even more important for people with braces. It can clean around brackets and under wires where food can easily become trapped.

Flossing Techniques for Children and Teenagers

To floss properly, follow these steps:

Pull about 18 inches of floss from the dispenser and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about two inches of floss to work with.
Gently glide the floss between your teeth using a rubbing motion.
Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and gently slide it beneath the gum line.
Move the floss up and down to scrape off plaque and food particles.
Repeat this process for each tooth.

Brush or Floss First: What’s the Right Order?

It’s not the order but the thoroughness that counts. Still, flossing before brushing may be more effective at removing plaque. This is because flossing first loosens particles and plaque that your toothbrush can sweep away.

Promoting Dental Services for Children and Teenagers

While at-home oral hygiene is a great foundation, regular dental check-ups are just as necessary. Professional cleanings can remove tartar buildup and spot early signs of gum disease or other oral health issues.

Boley Braces offers a range of dental services for children and teenagers. Our experienced team provides routine dental check-ups, orthodontic consultations, and treatments to ensure healthy smiles for our young patients.

Make an Appointment Today!

A healthy smile starts with proper oral hygiene. Encourage your children to care for their teeth and gums daily and schedule regular dental checkups at Boley Braces. Visit our Harrison, OH office, or learn more at our website. Here’s to better and brighter smiles!

IMG credit: Sorapop Udomsri