Braces do more than straighten your teeth—they change the way you brush them. Once brackets and wires are bonded to your teeth, cleaning becomes more complex. Food and plaque can easily hide behind the wires and stick to the metal surfaces. Without proper care, this can lead to cavities, bad breath, and gum disease.
This article offers a detailed guide on how to brush your teeth with braces. The goal is to help you maintain a healthy smile throughout your orthodontic treatment. Every step matters, and each method works together to protect your teeth, gums, and appliances.
Understanding Why Brushing With Braces Is Different
Braces create more surfaces to clean
Braces are made of brackets, wires, elastics, and sometimes bands. These parts trap food. Plaque forms quickly around them. The small nooks and edges need special attention.
Food gets stuck easily
Sticky or crunchy foods often lodge in braces. Even soft foods like bread or rice can hide behind wires. If not removed, this buildup leads to decay and enamel stains.
How Do I Brush My Teeth with Braces？
Step 1: Rinse your mouth before brushing
Start by rinsing with water. Swish thoroughly. This removes loose food particles. It helps expose areas that need brushing.
Step 2: Choose the right toothbrush
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Manual or electric types both work. But the brush head should be small enough to clean around brackets.
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Electric brushes offer extra power.
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Manual brushes give more control.
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Orthodontic toothbrushes have a V-shaped bristle design to clean around wires.
Step 3: Apply a small amount of fluoride toothpaste
Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Fluoride strengthens enamel. It also helps prevent decay around brackets.
Brushing Techniques for Thorough Cleaning
Brush the outer surfaces carefully
Start with the front side of the teeth—the part people see.
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Angle your brush at 45 degrees above the brackets.
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Gently scrub the top area of each bracket and tooth.
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Then angle down 45 degrees below the wire.
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Brush the bottom area of the bracket and tooth.
Use small circular motions. Spend at least 10 seconds on each tooth.
Clean the chewing surfaces
Move your brush to the top of each tooth. Focus on molars. Food often gets stuck in the grooves. Brush back and forth gently.
Brush the inner surfaces
Turn the brush to clean the inside of your teeth. Use up-and-down strokes. Focus on the backs of the front teeth. These areas are easy to miss.
How Long and How Often You Should Brush
Brush after every meal
Ideally, brush your teeth three times a day—morning, after lunch, and before bed. After eating, wait 20 to 30 minutes if you had something acidic. This protects the enamel.
Spend at least two minutes brushing
Divide your mouth into four sections:
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Top right
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Top left
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Bottom right
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Bottom left
Spend 30 seconds on each. This ensures every area is cleaned thoroughly.
Using Interdental Brushes and Orthodontic Tools
Interdental brushes clean between wires
These small brushes look like bottle cleaners. They fit between brackets and under wires. Use them gently to dislodge trapped food and plaque.
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Insert the brush gently under the wire.
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Wiggle it back and forth.
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Do not force it between tight spaces.
Proxabrushes are helpful for tight areas
Proxabrushes are specially shaped to clean around braces. They work well when regular brushes can’t reach certain angles.
Flossing With Braces: Not Optional
Use floss threaders or orthodontic floss
Traditional flossing is hard with braces. Floss threaders guide the floss under the wire.
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Pull a piece of floss through the threader.
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Insert it under the wire.
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Floss gently between the teeth.
Consider orthodontic flossers
These are pre-cut flossers with a thin arm. They slide under the wires easily. They save time and encourage daily use.
Mouthwash: The Final Step in the Routine
Use an antibacterial mouthwash
After brushing and flossing, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash. This:
- Reduces bacteria
- Reaches hidden places
- Strengthens enamel
Choose a mouthwash with fluoride and no alcohol. Rinse for 30 seconds.
Tips for Keeping Braces and Teeth Clean Throughout the Day
Carry a travel kit
Pack a small brush, toothpaste, and floss. This helps you clean your teeth after school, work, or meals on the go.
Use water after snacks
If you cannot brush right away, rinse your mouth with water. This helps dislodge food until you can clean more thoroughly.
Foods That Affect Brushing and Braces
Avoid sticky and sugary foods
Foods like caramel, gum, and gummy candy stick to brackets and wires. They are hard to remove. Sugar feeds bacteria and increases plaque.
Limit crunchy and hard items
Popcorn, nuts, and hard chips can break wires and damage brackets. They also get stuck and require more brushing effort.
What Happens If You Don’t Brush Properly With Braces
Plaque buildup causes white spots
Poor brushing leads to white decalcified marks. These spots are permanent. They form around brackets where plaque stays too long.
Gum disease becomes a risk
Swollen or bleeding gums signal early gum disease. Bacteria thrive around braces without cleaning. This leads to gingivitis and bad breath.
Cavities can form under wires
When food sits behind wires, it rots. This creates acids that erode enamel. Cavities may develop in hard-to-see places.
Orthodontist’s Role in Hygiene Monitoring
Regular check-ups include cleaning checks
During orthodontic visits, your dentist checks:
- Plaque levels
- Gum health
- Enamel integrity
If brushing is poor, your orthodontist may recommend more frequent cleanings.
Professional cleanings are still needed
Even with daily care, plaque can build up. Dental hygienists use tools to remove it from places brushes miss.
Special Products That Help With Brushing
Fluoride gels and pastes
Dentists sometimes recommend extra fluoride treatments. These come as gels, rinses, or prescription pastes.
They:
- Strengthen weak enamel
- Help protect against decay
- Reduce sensitivity
Orthodontic wax
Though not part of brushing, wax can protect your mouth from brackets. When the gums feel sore, wax cushions the metal. This helps maintain your brushing routine without pain.
Dealing With Common Brushing Challenges
Pain after adjustments
After braces are tightened, your mouth may feel sore. Use a soft brush. Brush more slowly but do not skip. You may also rinse with warm saltwater.
Bleeding gums
If your gums bleed when brushing, it’s often a sign of inflammation. Do not avoid the area. Clean it gently every day. The bleeding usually stops once plaque is removed.
Brushing Mistakes to Avoid
Brushing too hard
Hard brushing damages enamel and gums. It can also wear down brackets. Use gentle pressure and let the brush do the work.
Using a worn-out brush
Replace your toothbrush every 3 months or sooner. Frayed bristles clean less effectively. They also bend around brackets without cleaning under wires.
Keeping Motivation High During Long Treatments
Track your progress
Take pictures of your teeth every month. This shows how far you’ve come. It also motivates better hygiene.
Reward yourself
Set small goals. For example:
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Brush three times a day for a week
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Floss every night for a month
Give yourself a reward like a new toothbrush or self-care item.
Conclusion
Brushing your teeth with braces takes more time and care, but the results are worth it. Clean teeth lead to fewer complications during treatment. They also reveal a beautiful, stain-free smile when the braces come off.
Stick to a thorough routine. Use the right tools. Pay attention to every surface. Good oral hygiene makes your orthodontic journey smoother—and your final results more rewarding.
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