Proper tooth care is crucial for Harrisonburg residents with braces. At Giardina Orthodontics, Dr. Julia Giardina and our team understand that orthodontic treatment brings beautiful smiles to families throughout the Shenandoah Valley, but requires dedicated care to prevent cavities, plaque buildup, and gum disease that could interfere with your treatment.
For our patients from Harrisonburg, Bridgewater, Massanutten, McGaheysville, and across Rockingham County, we know braces can create challenges when cleaning your teeth. Brackets and wires may trap food debris, creating unsightly white spots and making daily cleaning more difficult.
Plaque stains teeth and wears away tooth enamel leading to tooth decay. Establishing a strict cleaning routine during your orthodontic journey will be worth your effort and become easier along the way.
Here are expert tips from Giardina Orthodontics on tooth hygiene and care while wearing braces.
Brush After Every Meal
For busy Harrisonburg families, JMU students, and professionals, brushing after meals is essential. Brackets and wires trap food debris, and frequent brushing prevents plaque formation.
We recommend brushing three times daily—an hour after each meal and before bedtime.
Before brushing, rinse your mouth for about 30 seconds with water to remove food debris stuck between your braces. Also thoroughly rinse your toothbrush before adding toothpaste to remove any bacteria from your previous brushing.
Always carry a toothbrush and toothpaste when traveling around the Valley.
If you don’t have a brush handy while at Massanutten Resort or shopping at Valley Mall, rinse your mouth for 30 seconds with water. Acidic foods and drinks like oranges and sports drinks soften tooth enamel, so wait 30-60 minutes before brushing.
Use The Right Toothbrush
Whether you’re a student at Harrisonburg High School, Turner Ashby, or a professional working downtown, having the right toothbrush is crucial.
Choose a brush with soft bristles to avoid irritating your gums. Clean the top of the teeth and between brackets carefully. Avoid tough bristles that may loosen braces.
Interdental or spindle brushes help remove food debris between teeth and tiny spaces under wires and brackets.
Brush for two minutes at a 45-degree angle with bristles facing down on the gum lines, using circular motions. Many of our Rockingham County patients find electric toothbrushes beneficial.
Hold your electric toothbrush on each tooth toward the gums, and let the brush do its work rather than using scrubbing motions.
Brush all sides of your mouth for two minutes, including above and below your braces and on chewing surfaces.
Replace your toothbrush once it shows signs of wear—typically every three months.
Avoid Too Much Toothpaste
Use fluoride toothpaste to keep teeth strong and prevent plaque accumulation. Since braces can make teeth sensitive, we recommend sensitivity-formulated fluoride toothpaste available at local Harrisonburg pharmacies.
Too much toothpaste forms a paste in the mouth that prevents you from seeing plaque and debris. First use a wet toothbrush, then add a small amount of toothpaste (pea-sized).
Use A Floss Threader or a Waterpik
For our Bridgewater and Elkton patients, we often recommend tying dental floss to a threader as an easier way to glide through wires and brackets, using slow motions to eliminate plaque and food debris.
A Waterpik device shoots a stream of water at your teeth to remove food particles. It helps remove debris and can reduce bleeding gums, bacteria, and gum disease.
Many of our Massanutten and McGaheysville patients find this an easy, quick way to floss, especially for active teens involved in sports at local high schools.
These special tools help clean food particles around brackets and wires but should not replace regular flossing or brushing.
Use Mouthwash at Night
Reduce tooth decay and protect enamel by using an anti-cavity fluoride mouthwash. Rinse for one minute, then check in the mirror to see if any areas need additional cleaning.
For our patients with busy lifestyles, using mouthwash up to four times daily can help prevent gum inflammation, tooth decay, and eliminate bad breath.
Use a dentist-recommended mouthwash with chlorhexidine and avoid those containing alcohol, which can dry out the mouth and cause bad breath.
Remember that mouthwash should supplement—not replace—flossing or brushing.
Foods to Avoid During Orthodontic Treatment
For Harrisonburg students and families, we recommend avoiding:
- Sugary treats like candies from local festivals and fairs
- Acidic foods like vinegar and citrus fruits that damage teeth
- Sticky foods like gum, nuts, popcorn, ice, corn chips, gummy bears, licorice, and caramel
- Hard foods like beef jerky, pizza crusts, corn on the cob, apples, and carrots that can bend wires or damage braces
Also avoid biting or chewing hard objects such as toothpicks, nail-biting, straws, pencils, or pens that could damage brackets.
Don’t Forget to Brush Your Tongue
Brushing your tongue is essential for removing bacteria that cause bad breath. This is particularly important before bacteria hide between metals, wires, and teeth.
Brush your tongue and soft palate using gentle back-and-forth scrubbing motions.
Alternative Care Methods
For relief after adjustments at our Harrisonburg office, gargle with salt water to reduce inflammation, keep teeth clean, and reduce pain and soreness. Salt water helps maintain mouth health, especially after braces are first applied.
If you’re out hiking in Shenandoah National Park and forget toothpaste, coconut oil is a good alternative with bacteria-fighting elements that combat tooth decay.
Baking soda mixed with water to make a paste can also help clean teeth in a pinch.
Attend Regular Appointments at Giardina Orthodontics
Our Harrisonburg orthodontic team will check your progress, change elastics, adjust wires, examine your teeth, and address any questions during regular appointments.
Visit as often as Dr. Giardina suggests to ensure your treatment stays on track.
We also recommend visiting your local Harrisonburg or Rockingham County dentist at least every six months for professional cleanings to remove plaque and tartar buildup that can lead to cavities.
Regular cleanings will help keep your teeth stain-free when your braces are finally removed.
Your Partner in Orthodontic Health
Keeping your teeth and braces clean and healthy is crucial for achieving the best results from your orthodontic treatment. Maintaining oral health will ensure your teeth remain healthy and bright after braces are removed.
For more information about braces care or to schedule your free orthodontic consultation in Harrisonburg, contact Giardina Orthodontics in Harrisonburg at 540-433-8814.
We proudly serve patients from across the Shenandoah Valley, including Harrisonburg, Bridgewater, Massanutten, Broadway, Elkton, and all of Rockingham County.
Office Hours
Monday: 8am – 5pm
Tuesday: 8am – 5pm
Wednesday: 8am – 5pm
Thursday: 8am – 5pm
