Oral hygienecan feel like a moving target when life is packed with school drop-offs, sports practices, and a to-do list that never seems to shrink. That’s why so many Windermere and Orlando families turn to Dr. Lauris Johnsonat MyFamily Orthodonticsfor clear, practical habits that keep smiles clean through every stage of orthodontic care. From navigating lunchboxes to managing braces after a Saturday game at the Roper YMCA, good routines can fit naturally into busy days. To set the foundation, we’ll start with the brushing habits Dr. Johnson encourages for strong, healthy teeth during treatment.
Brush With Purpose
Brushingmay seem simple, but doing it well makes all the difference during orthodontic treatment. Dr. Lauris Johnson encourages families to slow down for a moment and focus on technique, especially around brackets and wires. Kidsoften rush through brushing after school, so a few small reminders can help keep things thorough.
A few techniques Dr. Johnson recommends include:
- Holding the toothbrush at an angle to reach between brackets and gumlines
- Brushing for a full two minutes twice a day
- Using a soft-bristled brush or an orthodontic brush for better access
- Adding an electric toothbrush for extra support during busy weeks
Once brushing feels solid, keeping flossing simple is the next step in maintaining clean, healthy teeth during treatment.
Flossing Made Simple
Flossing gets trickier with brackets and wires, but it’s one of the most helpful habits for avoiding buildup during treatment. Dr. Lauris Johnson often shows families a few tools that make flossing smoother, especially for kids juggling homework, sports, and late-evening commitments around Windermere and Orlando.
Tools that make flossing easier include:
- Floss threaders for slipping under wires
- Water flossers for a quick clean before heading to school or bed
- Orthodontic flossers designed to reach around brackets
MyFamily Orthodontics teaches each patient how to use these tools so flossing feels less like a chore and more like a quick part of the daily routine. With the basics in place, the next step is understanding how smart snacking choices can keep teeth cleaner between appointments.
Smart Snacking for a Healthy Mouth
Snacking is part of everyday life, especially for families balancing school, sports, and busy afternoons around Windermere and Orlando. Dr. Lauris Johnson reminds patientsthat the right choices can help keep teeth clean and braces in good shape between brushing sessions. A little planning goes a long way, especially for kids grabbing something quick before practice or during a homework break.
Braces-Friendly Snacks
Soft options tend to be the easiest during treatment.Yogurt cups, soft fruits like bananas or berries, and smoothies picked up on the way home from practice are simple choices that keep things low-risk for brackets and wires. Cooked vegetables and soft cheeses also fit easily into lunchboxes or after-school snacking.
Snacks to Skip for Now
Sticky treats and crunchy foods can make cleaning harder or put pressure on brackets, which slows progress. Passing on items like hard candies, popcorn, and chewy bread helps keep everything running smoothly until treatment is complete.
Good snacking habits set the stage for cleaner check-ins. Next, let’s take a look at the role regular appointments play in keeping treatment moving forward.
Keep Up With Regular Visits
Routine orthodontic visits help keep everything moving at a steady pace. These appointments give Dr. Lauris Johnson a chance to check progress, make adjustments, and answer any new questions that come up along the way.
Families in Windermere often appreciate how convenient the Lakeside Village location is for quick visits after school at Sunset Park Elementaryor Bay Lake Elementary, while Orlando families enjoy having a nearby option on busy weekdays. Digital scanning makes appointments smoother and faster, giving patients more time to get back to sports practices, errands, or evening plans.
Coming up, let’s look at a few simple habits that can boost your oral hygiene between visits.
Go the Extra Mile at Home
Daily brushing and flossing set the foundation, but a few extra habits can make oral hygiene even stronger during orthodontic treatment. Dr. Lauris Johnson often shares simple add-ons that help kids and adults keep their teeth clean between visits, especially on busy days around Windermere and Orlando.
Helpful extras include:
- Rinsing with fluoride mouthwashto reach areas brushes can miss
- Replacing toothbrushes regularly, especially if bristles start to bend around brackets
- Packing a small travel kitwith a brush, paste, and flossers for on-the-go cleaning
- Drinking plenty of water throughout the day to wash away food particles
Families in communities like Winter Garden, Clermont, and Lake Buena Vista often find these small habits easy to add into school routines or weekend outings. Next, let’s bring everything together with a final look at how good oral hygiene supports successful orthodontic care from start to finish.
Putting It All Together
Strong oral hygiene habits make orthodontic treatment smoother from the start. Brushing with intention, flossing carefully, choosing supportive snacks, and keeping appointments on schedule all work together to protect your teeth during treatment.
Families from Windermere, Orlando, Ocoee, and Winter Garden often share that once these habits settle into their weekly rhythm, treatment becomes easier to follow. Dr. Lauris Johnson and the MyFamily Orthodontics team offer clear steps at every visit, helping patients keep their teeth clean and their appliances working exactly as planned.
These routines support steady progress, fewer repairs, and healthier results through every phase of treatment. Even small adjustments like rinsing after meals or keeping a travel kit in your backpack can make daily care feel more manageable.
With these habits in place, orthodontic treatment fits naturally into everyday life and keeps your smile moving in the right direction.
A Clean Routine Goes a Long Way
Oral hygiene doesn’t have to feel complicated when you have the right habits and the right team beside you. Families across Windermereand Orlandoturn to Dr. Lauris Johnson and MyFamily Orthodonticsfor care that fits real life, from busy school mornings to late-evening sports practices. If you’re ready to build healthy routines that support your smile through every stage of treatment, book your free consultationand experience orthodontic care that keeps pace with your everyday routine!