Proper oral hygiene is essential for everyone, but if you have braces, cleaning becomes even more critical. Braces create spaces where food particles and plaque can linger, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Whether you wear traditional braces or modern aligners like Invisalign or Spark, taking extra care of your teeth is vital to ensure a healthy mouth and a radiant smile.
This guide will walk you through how to brush your teeth with braces effectively and maintain excellent oral health during your orthodontic treatment.
Why Oral Hygiene Matters With Braces
Braces are designed to straighten your teeth and improve your bite, but the brackets and wires often make it tricky to clean properly. Food can get trapped between the braces and your teeth, leading to problems like:
- Plaque build-up and cavities.
- Gingivitis (gum inflammation).
- Spotting on the enamel (decalcification).
By brushing consistently and effectively, you can protect your teeth, gums, and overall oral health throughout your treatment.
How to Brush Your Teeth With Braces
Brushing your teeth with braces isn’t complicated, but it does require some technique. Follow these steps for a thorough clean, as recommended by us here at Derek Damon Orthodontics:
Steps for Brushing:
- Rinse First: Start by rinsing your mouth with water to dislodge loose debris around the braces.
- Choose the Right Toothbrush: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush with a round head. These help to reach hard-to-clean areas without damaging your brackets.
- Brush at the Correct Angle: Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Brush above and below the brackets, using gentle circular motions to clean where the braces meet your teeth.
- Don’t Forget the Wire: Brush along the wire, which is often a hotspot for trapped food.
- Brush Each Tooth Individually: Focus on one tooth at a time to ensure every surface (front, back, and chewing surface) is clean.
- Use Fluoride Toothpaste: Fluoride strengthens enamel and helps prevent cavities. Be sure to spit, not rinse, after brushing to allow the fluoride to work longer.
Pro Tips
- Replace your toothbrush or brush head every 3 months or sooner if the bristles are frayed due to brushing against brackets.
- Carry a travel toothbrush for quick mid-day cleaning after meals.
- Consider using an interdental toothbrush (also called a proxy brush) to reach under the wire and clean between brackets.
Flossing With Braces
Flossing around braces can also be challenging, but it’s just as important as brushing. It removes food particles and plaque from areas your toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing with braces is a two-step process:
- Thread the Floss: Thread floss through the space between the main wire and your teeth. Use a floss threader if necessary.
- Floss Each Tooth: Gently move the floss up and down each tooth, removing any debris or plaque.
Be thorough and take your time to floss properly, and remember to rinse with water after. You can also supplement your flossing routine with a water flosser for an extra clean.
Brushing and Flossing With Invisalign or Spark Aligners
If you’re using Invisalign or Spark Aligners, maintaining oral hygiene is simpler but just as crucial. The aligners are removable, so you can brush and floss your teeth as you would without braces.
However, it’s essential to clean your aligners regularly too.
Here’s how:
Steps for Brushing and Caring for Your Teeth
- Remove Your Aligners Before Brushing: Take out your aligners during meals and before brushing your teeth.
- Brush Twice Per Day: Clean your teeth thoroughly before putting the aligners back in to prevent trapping plaque and bacteria against your teeth.
- Clean Your Aligners Daily: Use an aligner cleaning solution or mild soap (never toothpaste) to clean your aligners and avoid discoloration or scratches.
- Floss Like a Pro: Without wires in the way, you can floss easily—so take advantage of it!
Maintaining Oral Health During Orthodontic Treatment
Maintaining oral health during orthodontic treatment is essential to achieving the best possible results and ensuring your smile stays healthy and beautiful. With braces or clear aligners, extra care is needed to prevent common issues like cavities, gum inflammation, or discoloration.
Developing a strong oral hygiene routine and sticking to it throughout your treatment not only protects your teeth and gums but also helps you transition seamlessly to life after orthodontics with confidence.
Here are some general tips to keep your teeth and gums healthy while wearing braces or aligners:
Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods
These types of foods can damage brackets and wires or get stuck in them, making it harder to clean your teeth. Some examples include:
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Hard candies
- Gum
- Caramel
Foods like caramels, popcorn, and hard candies can damage your braces or get stuck in challenging spots. Stick to a braces-friendly diet.
Rinse With Mouthwash
Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash can help reduce plaque and bacteria and freshen your breath. Choose one that’s alcohol-free to avoid burning or drying out your mouth.
Thoroughly rinsing your mouth after brushing and flossing can also help loosen any remaining food particles.
Keep Check-Up Appointments
Keep up with scheduled orthodontist visits at Derek Damon Orthodontics in Bellingham or wherever your orthodontist is to monitor your progress and address any concerns.
This is also an excellent opportunity for a professional cleaning to remove plaque buildup and keep your teeth healthy.
Maintaining your oral health while undergoing orthodontic treatment may require a little extra effort, but it is worth the beautiful and healthy smile you will achieve in the end.
Your Braces Journey, Made Easy
Learning how to brush your teeth with braces is crucial to preventing issues like plaque buildup, cavities, or gum disease during treatment. By following the recommended brushing and flossing techniques, you can protect your teeth and braces effectively.
Remember, investing time in your oral hygiene now will pay off once your braces are removed, revealing the dazzling smile you’ve been working toward.
If you’re looking for expert advice, personalized care, or orthodontic solutions tailored to your needs, we’re here to help! Contact Derek Damon Orthodontics in Bellingham or Anacortes today to learn more about our comprehensive treatment options, including metal braces, Invisalign, and Spark Aligners.
Book your orthodontic consultation today!