Keeping your teeth clean, with your braces on will be the theme this week.
When you have braces on, it is very important to keep your teeth clean. Braces do make it harder to clean your teeth. If you are a so-so tooth brusher before braces, you will become a poor tooth brusher with the braces.
The most important part of your teeth to brush is right by the gum line. This is true for everyone - braces or not. Braces make it tougher to reach that area unless you are concentrating on that area.
A lot of people just brush the tops of the teeth - the chewing surfaces and the brush bristles only occasionally get to the right spot by the gum line. With braces, that won't happen so plaque will build up there. You have to get the bristles in by the gum line for sure.
Good news - its easy. Brush with a soft bristle toothbrush by the gums. That's it - that's the secret. Two minutes of brushing by the gums with a soft bristle toothbrush will do the job. Do that once in the morning and once at night before you go to bed and your teeth will remain clean and healthy during your orthodontic treatment and for the rest of your life.