We’ll Provide You With That Winning smile!

1. Morning (after waking up):

• Brushing in the morning removes the plaque and bacteria that build up overnight.

• Ideally, brush after breakfast, but wait at least 30 minutes if you’ve eaten something acidic (like orange juice, coffee, fruit). Brushing too soon can wear down enamel.

• If you don’t want to wait, brushing right after waking up (before eating) is still good—it gets rid of morning breath and protects your teeth before food.

2. Night (before bed):

• This is the most important brushing of the day.

• Plaque and food particles left overnight fuel bacteria growth and increase your risk of cavities and gum disease.

3. Midday (optional but beneficial):

• If you can, brushing after lunch or a snack is great, especially if you eat sticky, sugary, or acidic foods.

• If brushing isn’t possible, rinsing with water or chewing sugar-free gum helps.

✅ Golden rule: Brush at least twice a day—morning and night—for two minutes each.

✅ Crunchy, high-water fruits & veggies (cut into small pieces):

• Apples (sliced thin or into wedges so they don’t break brackets)

• Carrots (steamed a bit or cut into sticks)

• Celery (fibrous strands act like a natural toothbrush)

• Cucumbers, bell peppers, pears

✅ Leafy greens & fibrous foods:

• Spinach, kale, and lettuce help increase saliva (your mouth’s natural cleaner).

✅ Cheese and dairy:

• Cheese, milk, and yogurt neutralize acids and strengthen enamel with calcium and phosphate.

✅ Nuts (soft ones, in small pieces):

• Almonds or cashews (when chopped or ground to avoid damaging braces) give protein and help fight plaque-causing bacteria.

✅ Sugar-free gum (with xylitol):

• Helps boost saliva and dislodge food stuck around brackets.

Foods to limit/avoid with braces (they trap gunk):

• Sticky stuff (caramel, gummies, dried fruit)

• Hard foods you bite into (whole apples, raw carrots, popcorn, nuts in shells)

• Sugary drinks (soda, sweet tea, energy drinks)

👉 Tip: Always rinse with water after meals and use an interdental brush or water flosser to clean around brackets.

👶 Infants (0–12 months)

• Before teeth erupt: Wipe gums with a clean, damp washcloth or soft infant gum brush after feedings.

• When first tooth appears: Use a baby toothbrush with soft bristles and a tiny smear (rice grain size) of fluoride toothpaste once or twice a day.

🧒 Toddlers (1–3 years)

• Brush twice daily (morning and bedtime).

• Use a soft, small-headed toothbrush with a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste.

• Sit the child on your lap or stand behind them to help brush.

• Focus on all surfaces: front, back, chewing surfaces, and along the gumline.

• Start teaching them to spit out toothpaste, but don’t rinse with water—leaves fluoride protection on teeth.

🧑‍🦱 Children (3–6 years)

• Increase toothpaste to a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

• Continue brushing twice a day for 2 minutes.

• Parents should still do most of the brushing—kids at this age don’t yet have the hand coordination to clean thoroughly.

• Use gentle circles and cover every tooth surface.

👦 Older kids (6+ years)

• Children can start brushing themselves, but parents should supervise until at least age 7–8.

• Floss once daily where teeth touch. Floss picks or water flossers can help.

• Encourage brushing after breakfast and always before bed.

• Reinforce the “2 minutes, 2 times a day” rule.

✅ Extra tips:

• Replace toothbrushes every 3 months or sooner if bristles fray.

• Choose fun brushes (cartoon characters, electric brushes with timers) to keep kids motivated.

• Avoid sending them to bed with bottles or sippy cups of milk/juice (causes cavities). Only water at bedtime.

Not really — it’s a common myth.

Hard-bristled toothbrushes don’t actually clean deeper than soft ones. Here’s why:

• Plaque is soft. You don’t need stiff bristles to remove it. A soft-bristled brush with good technique is enough to sweep it away.

• Hard bristles can cause damage. They may wear down enamel over time and irritate or even injure your gums, leading to sensitivity and recession.

• Dentists recommend soft bristles. The American Dental Association (ADA) and most dentists suggest soft-bristled brushes, sometimes extra-soft for people with sensitive gums or braces.

👉 What matters most is:

• Brushing twice a day for 2 minutes

• Using the right technique (gentle circles at a 45° angle to the gumline)

• Flossing and rinsing to reach areas a brush can’t

So, soft bristles + proper technique = the deepest safe clean.