How to Brush Teeth with Braces
March 3, 2025
Wearing braces is an exciting step toward achieving a beautifully aligned smile. But let’s be real—keeping your teeth clean with brackets and wires can feel like a challenge. Food gets stuck, plaque builds up faster, and if you’re not careful, you could end up with cavities or gum issues.
Don’t worry! With the right techniques and a little extra care, you can keep your teeth and gums in top shape throughout your orthodontic treatment. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know—starting with the best way to brush your teeth with braces. Plus, we’ll cover the special tools that make the job easier, how to floss properly (yes, it’s possible!), and how often you should be brushing. Let’s get started!
How to Properly Brush Your Teeth with Braces
Brushing with braces isn’t just about fresh breath—it’s essential for preventing stains, cavities, and gum inflammation. Since braces create more nooks and crannies where food and plaque can hide, you’ll need to pay extra attention to your brushing technique.
So, what’s the best way to do it? First, let’s talk about the tools you’ll need.
Special Toothbrushes for Braces
Not all toothbrushes are created equal, especially when you have braces. Here are some that can make your routine easier and more effective:
- Orthodontic (V-shaped) toothbrush – Designed specifically for braces, these brushes have a groove in the middle to fit around brackets and wires.
- Soft-bristled manual toothbrush – If you prefer a traditional brush, go for one with soft bristles to clean your teeth without irritating your gums.
- Interdental brushes – These tiny brushes reach between brackets and under wires, making it easier to remove trapped food.
- Electric toothbrushes – These can be a game-changer! Let’s dive into how to use them properly.
Brushing Braces with an Electric Toothbrush
If you’re wondering whether an electric toothbrush is a good idea, the answer is a resounding yes! The rapid movements of an electric toothbrush help remove plaque more efficiently than a manual one. Here’s how to use it correctly:
- Choose the right brush head – Look for one designed for orthodontic care or a soft-bristled head to avoid damaging your brackets.
- Use gentle pressure – Let the brush do the work; pressing too hard could loosen wires or irritate your gums.
- Angle the brush – Hold it at a 45-degree angle to clean both above and below the brackets.
- Move slowly and thoroughly – Spend a few seconds on each tooth, making sure to clean all surfaces.
Now that we’ve covered the tools, let’s go step by step through the actual brushing process.
How to Brush Your Teeth with Braces Step by Step
To get the best clean possible, follow these steps:
- Rinse first – Swish water or mouthwash to loosen any food stuck in your braces.
- Use fluoride toothpaste – It strengthens enamel and helps protect against cavities.
- Angle your brush – Hold it at a 45-degree angle to clean around the brackets.
- Brush each tooth individually – Focus on the front, back, and chewing surfaces. Spend at least 10 seconds per tooth!
- Use an interdental brush – This helps clean between the brackets and wires where your toothbrush can’t reach.
- Rinse and check – Look in the mirror to make sure no food or plaque is left behind.
Brushing is essential, but there’s another important step to keep your teeth and gums healthy—flossing. Let’s talk about how to do that next!
How to Brush and Floss Teeth with Braces
Brushing and flossing with braces isn’t just about keeping your teeth looking clean—it’s about protecting your smile from long-term damage. Food and plaque easily get trapped around brackets and wires, making it harder to maintain good oral hygiene. Without proper care, you may be at risk for cavities, gum disease, and even permanent white spots on your teeth once your braces come off.
That’s why brushing and flossing with braces require a little extra effort and the right techniques. While brushing removes plaque and bacteria from the surface of your teeth, flossing is essential for cleaning between teeth and around brackets where a toothbrush can’t reach. Let’s break down the best ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy while wearing braces.
How Do You Floss with Braces?
Flossing with braces might seem tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes a quick and effective part of your routine. The key is to be gentle and thorough to avoid damaging your braces while ensuring a deep clean between your teeth and under the gumline.
Here are three tried-and-true flossing methods to choose from:
- Traditional floss with a floss threader
Using standard dental floss with a threader is one of the most effective ways to clean between teeth with braces. This method requires a bit of patience but provides a deep clean.
How to do it:
- Cut a piece of floss about 18 inches long.
- Insert one end into a floss threader (a small, flexible loop that helps guide the floss under the braces wire).
- Thread the floss under the wire and position it between two teeth.
- Gently move the floss up and down along each tooth, making sure to go slightly under the gumline.
- Carefully pull the floss out and repeat the process for each tooth.
Best for: People who want a thorough, traditional flossing method and don’t mind spending a little extra time on their oral hygiene routine.
- Orthodontic floss (pre-cut flossers designed for braces)
If using a floss threader feels time-consuming, orthodontic flossers are a great alternative. These flossers are pre-cut and designed to slide under braces wires easily, making flossing faster and more convenient.
How to do it:
- Position the flosser between two teeth, gently sliding it under the wire.
- Use a gentle back-and-forth sawing motion to remove plaque and food particles.
- Repeat for each space between your teeth.
Best for: People who want a quicker, hassle-free way to floss, especially kids and teens who find traditional flossing difficult.
- Water flosser
A water flosser, also known as an oral irrigator, is a fantastic option for people with braces. It uses a stream of pulsating water to clean between teeth, around brackets, and along the gumline. This method is highly effective at removing debris and plaque while being gentle on braces.
How to do it:
- Fill the water flosser’s reservoir with lukewarm water.
- Select the orthodontic tip (if available) for better precision around braces.
- Start at the back of your mouth and move along the gumline, directing the water stream between your teeth and around brackets.
- Use a low to medium setting for best results, as too much pressure can irritate the gums.
Best for: People with sensitive gums, those who struggle with traditional flossing, or anyone looking for a quick and effective way to floss daily.
How Often to Brush Your Teeth with Braces
Keeping your teeth and braces clean is not just about fresh breath—it’s about preventing long-term dental issues that could affect your smile even after your orthodontic treatment is complete. Because braces create more surfaces for plaque and food particles to accumulate, you’ll need to be extra diligent with your oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing regularly will help you avoid cavities, gum inflammation, and permanent white spots on your teeth.
The best practice is to brush after every meal. When you eat, food gets trapped around the brackets and wires, increasing the risk of plaque buildup. If left unchecked, this plaque can harden into tartar, leading to gum disease and tooth decay. Brushing immediately after meals removes food debris before it has a chance to stick, ensuring your teeth and braces stay as clean as possible. If brushing right after eating isn’t an option, rinsing your mouth with water can help wash away some of the leftover particles until you get a chance to brush.
Flossing is just as important as brushing, even if it requires extra effort with braces. Ideally, you should floss at least once a day, preferably before bed. This helps remove plaque and food particles that accumulate between teeth and along the gumline, where a toothbrush can’t reach. If you skip flossing, bacteria can build up in these areas, increasing the risk of swollen gums and cavities between your teeth. While traditional flossing methods work well, a water flosser can be an excellent alternative, especially if you find it difficult to maneuver floss around your braces.
Using an antibacterial or fluoride mouthwash adds an extra layer of protection to your oral care routine. Mouthwash helps rinse away bacteria that brushing and flossing might miss, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. A fluoride rinse can also strengthen tooth enamel, helping to prevent decay in those hard-to-reach areas around braces. If you’re prone to gum sensitivity or irritation, choosing an alcohol-free mouthwash can help soothe your gums without causing dryness.
Beyond daily brushing and flossing, it’s important to maintain regular check-ups with your orthodontist and dentist. Professional cleanings help remove plaque buildup in areas that are difficult to reach at home, ensuring your teeth and braces stay in the best condition possible. Your dentist can also provide personalized recommendations for your oral hygiene routine based on your specific needs.
By sticking to a consistent oral hygiene routine, you’ll not only keep your braces clean but also protect your overall dental health. When your braces come off, you’ll be rewarded with a healthy, bright smile that makes all the extra effort worth it.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining proper oral hygiene with braces requires dedication, but following these tips will help you keep your teeth healthy and strong throughout your orthodontic treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your brushing routine, consult your orthodontist for personalized advice.
Need more orthodontic care tips? Parsons Orthodontics is here to help! Contact us today for expert guidance on your journey to a perfect smile.
