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Same-Day Starts, Braces, and Consultations Available!

Your Top-Rated Orthodontist in
Charleston, SC, For Braces & Invisalign

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Same-Day Starts, Braces, and Consultations Available!

Your Top-Rated Orthodontist in
Charleston, SC, For Braces & Invisalign

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reese orthodontics
Successfully wearing braces is not just about straightening teeth but also about improving your smile, and having a healthier mouth. It is important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces and maintain proper oral hygiene during your entire orthodontic treatment. Here are some guidelines to help you keep your mouth healthy.

Brushing and Flossing

When you wear braces it is important to brush and floss after every meal to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment. Skipping brushing and flossing can lead to enamel around the brackets to stain or cause white spots. Plaque—a naturally occurring film of bacteria that forms on the teeth—must be removed to avoid tooth decay and cavities. We can help you choose the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss to help you maintain that bright and healthy smile.

Brushing with Braces:

Brush your teeth gently for two minutes after every meal with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. You may also use a powered toothbrush to enhance the effectiveness of brushing your teeth with braces. Food particles and plaque can easily be trapped when you have braces. Use a circular motion around the gum line for 10 seconds for each tooth, making sure to position the head of the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line. Slowly brush your teeth’s chewing surfaces and on the inside surface of your teeth using short gently back and forth motions. Brush the roof of your mouth and your tongue to remove germs that are hiding there. Be sure to angle your toothbrush around your brackets or other appliances. Make sure to use a toothbrush to clean your retainer before placing it in your mouth.

Flossing with Braces:

Flossing after every meal around your braces is important to keep your teeth and braces clean and to prevent gum disease and other oral health problems. Carefully pull the floss between the wire and the braces, using a floss threader or special orthodontic floss. Floss carefully around each tooth and the surrounding gum doing one section at a time. Wrap the floss around your pointer fingers of both hands, and keep a few inches of floss taught between them. Gently slide the floss between each tooth using a back and forth motion. Floss the sides of the tooth at the gum line to remove any plaque or food particles. Repeat this process until all your teeth have been flossed. We can also recommend a water flosser to help with those difficult areas to reach in your mouth. After brushing and flossing, make sure to also rinse with water or antiseptic dental rinse.

Eating with Braces

Don’t worry you will still be able to eat many of the foods you enjoy, and will be back eating those snacks that you should avoid while wearing braces in no time! It is important to refrain from eating certain foods to avoid damaging your new braces and appliances. Some foods you should AVOID with braces include:

  • Sticky or hard foods like nuts, chewing gum, sticky toffee or carmel candies or hard candies
  • Crunchy foods like popcorn, chips or ice
  • Chewy food like bagels, or licorice
  • Large foods, like corn on the cob or apples which require biting into (it is best to cut these foods up into manageable bite sizes)

Soreness caused by braces and appliances

You may experience some soreness when you first get your braces and appliances. To ease your pain, we recommend dissolving a teaspoon of salt in lukewarm water to swish and gargle with for a few minutes. Do not swallow the saltwater. If the pain is more acute after repeated rinsing, you may also try taking a pain reliever. If your lips, cheeks or tongue become irritated from your new braces, we can provide some wax to put over the braces to lessen the tenderness, while these areas become used to the braces.

Dr. Reese McElveen is a board certified orthodontist and is committed to providing the absolute best in orthodontics in an enthusiastic, friendly environment. Please contact us today at reeseorthodontics.com to see how we can help you have an amazing smile.

Easy Ways To Get Started

If you want to learn more about our orthodontic practice - where we offer extensive experience with a Board Certified Orthodontist, where we offer a satisfaction guarantee, and where we offer flexible payment options - Reese Orthodontics is here to serve you.

READ WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE REESE ORTHODONTICS FOR BRACES & INVISALIGN
"Dr. Reese and staff share an inviting personality with a clean and professional atmosphere. I am very happy with the service, the product and the final result. I would encourage any of my friends and family to consult with Dr. Reese around their Orthodontic needs."
- Austin H.
"It has been a great experience all around getting braces at Dr. Reese Orthodontics. It's a great office with wonderful and friendly staff. I am extremely happy with the results. Can't say enough good things about Dr. Reese and his staff. I highly recommend him!"
- Nicole S.
"Dr. Reese and his staff was referred to me by a friend, and I highly recommend them! They were friendly, professional, helpful and quick to respond. I could not be happier with the results of Invisalign. I wore them about 7 months and my teeth are as straight as can be. Thank you for the great care and results!"
- Dancy E.
"I chose the absolute perfect orthodontist to perfect my smile. Dr. Reese has a personality that calms you and removes the anxiety that may come with the process. Dr. Reese is a true artist. I am so excited with my new smile. Dr. Reese accomplished the goals I was looking for and I am forever grateful. Thank you Dr. Reese!!!"
- Melanie C.
"Just awesome! Dr. Reese is the one to go to. He knows what he's doing and is great at what he does. Makes you feel like family every time you go visit. I can't get over how great my smile looks now. Definitely recommended."
- Harsha P.
*The reviews listed are from actual patients of Reese Orthodontics.
Individual results may vary. Reviews are not claimed to represent results for everyone.
click here to read reese orthodontic reviews
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reese orthodontics west ashley sc

Our Charleston
Orthodontic Office

2057 Charlie Hall Blvd. STE D
Charleston, SC 29414

843.573.7279

Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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Dr. Reese McElveen, our award-winning orthodontist in Charleston, South Carolina has transformed the smiles of over 11,000 patients. Reese Orthodontics offers the most advanced orthodontic care for children and adults. Types of braces and orthodontic treatment include metal braces, clear braces, gold braces, Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, Damon Braces, SureSmile. Dr. Reese can even help you achieve your confident smile faster with AcceleDent.

Call 843.573.7279 today to schedule your appointment with our board certified orthodontist in Charleston, SC, at our conveniently located Charleston orthodontic office. Come experience Reese Orthodontics and you will see for yourself that we offer innovative and effective orthodontic care in Charleston, Downtown Charleston, West Ashley, James Island, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Johns Island, Goose Creek, Hanahan and Ladson, South Carolina (SC).