One of the most important habits to develop when you get braces is learning how to brush your teeth with braces properly.
Brackets and wires create more surfaces for food particles and plaque to accumulate, which makes a thorough cleaning routine more important than ever during treatment.
The good news is that with the right technique and a bit of practice, keeping your teeth clean with braces becomes second nature fairly quickly.
Why Good Oral Hygiene Matters Even More With Braces
Before diving into technique, it is worth understanding why brushing carefully is especially critical during orthodontic treatment.
When plaque is left around the brackets and along the gum line, it can lead to white spot lesions, which are permanent marks on the enamel that become visible when braces are removed. Plaque buildup can also contribute to gum inflammation, cavities, and bad breath.
Protecting your teeth during treatment ensures that when your braces come off, you reveal a healthy and beautiful smile, not one damaged by neglect.
How to Properly Brush Teeth With Braces: Step by Step
Step 1 – Apply Toothpaste
Put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Step 2 – Brush the Front of Brackets (Circular Motion)
Place the toothbrush on the front of your braces and use gentle circular motions to start loosening plaque around the brackets.
Step 3 – Brush Along the Front (Side-to-Side)
Move the brush horizontally across the brackets, cleaning from one side to the other while keeping light pressure.
Step 4 – Brush Above the Brackets
Angle the toothbrush downward toward the top of the brackets and brush gently to remove plaque near the gum line.
Step 5 – Brush Below the Brackets
Tilt the brush upward toward the bottom of the brackets and clean underneath them where food often gets trapped.
Step 6 – Use an Interdental Brush
Use a small interdental (proxy) brush to clean between brackets and under the wire for areas your toothbrush cannot reach.
Step 7 – Floss Between Teeth
Use orthodontic floss or a floss threader to carefully floss between each tooth and under the wire.
Step 8 – Brush Inner Tooth Surfaces
Brush the inside surfaces of your teeth (tongue side) and the chewing surfaces thoroughly.
Step 9 – Rinse With Mouthwash
Finish by rinsing with water or fluoride mouthwash to remove loosened debris and leave your braces and teeth clean.
Can I Use an Electric Toothbrush on Braces?
Yes, you can use an electric toothbrush on braces, and many orthodontists actively recommend it.
Electric toothbrushes are effective at removing plaque and can make it easier to maintain good coverage across all the surfaces created by brackets and wires. If you use an electric toothbrush, choose one with a round, oscillating head and use the same methodical approach described above, spending adequate time on each tooth.
Whether you prefer a manual or electric toothbrush, the most important factors are consistency, proper technique, and adequate brushing time.
How Often Should You Brush With Braces?
You should brush at least three times a day when you have braces, ideally after every meal and snack.
Food can get caught in brackets and around wires very easily, and leaving it there for extended periods accelerates plaque formation. It is also a good idea to keep a travel toothbrush with you if you are away from home during the day so you can brush after lunch or any snacks.
If brushing immediately after a meal is not possible, rinsing your mouth thoroughly with water in the meantime can help dislodge food and reduce the risk of plaque buildup until you can brush properly.
Flossing With Braces
Flossing with braces takes a bit more effort but is absolutely essential. Regular floss must be threaded through the space between the wire and the teeth, which can be done using a floss threader or an orthodontic flosser.
Alternatively, a water flosser is an excellent tool for cleaning between teeth and around brackets, using a stream of water to flush out debris in hard-to-reach areas.
Aim to floss at least once a day, typically before your evening brushing routine.
Other Helpful Tools for Cleaning Braces
In addition to your toothbrush and floss, there are a few other tools that can make cleaning braces easier and more thorough.
-
Interdental brushes: These are small, cone-shaped brushes that can be inserted between brackets and under the wire to remove debris in areas that a regular toothbrush cannot easily reach.
-
Fluoride mouthwash: Using a fluoride rinse daily helps strengthen the enamel and provides added protection against cavities during treatment.
-
Orthodontic wax: While not a cleaning tool, wax can be placed over any bracket or wire that is causing irritation, making it more comfortable to continue brushing effectively.
What to Avoid Eating During Braces Treatment
Keeping your teeth clean is much easier when you avoid foods that commonly get stuck in braces or that can damage brackets. Hard foods such as raw carrots, whole apples, ice, and hard candy can break brackets. Sticky foods such as caramel, gummy candies, and chewy bread can pull at the wire and leave residue that is very difficult to clean away.
Cutting food into smaller pieces and chewing carefully goes a long way toward protecting your braces and making your oral hygiene routine more manageable.
