How to brush your teeth with braces

How to brush teeth with braces

The AAO says to brush for two minutes after every meal or snack and before bed, carry a travel toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste, and if you cannot brush after eating, at least rinse with plain water. Use fluoride toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association, preferably one without whitening. Healthline says to avoid whitening toothpastes, since they cannot reach under brackets, which can leave off-white areas once the braces come off. Brush above, on and below each bracket, and along the gumline, for every tooth surface.

Do you need a special toothbrush for braces?

The AAO says to use a manual or power toothbrush, whichever works best for you, and to replace the brush or head at the first sign of wear or at least every three months. Healthline describes an electric toothbrush as cleaning better than a manual one, so the sources differ slightly. A soft brush with a small head is easier to angle around brackets. Interproximal brushes are the extra tool you are most likely to need.

How to floss with braces

Healthline gives these steps: cut 18 to 24 inches of waxed floss, as unwaxed can tear and catch in brackets, thread it between the main wire and your teeth, wrap the ends around your index fingers, press it between two teeth and slide it up and down each side, then gently pull it out and unthread it from behind the wire, being careful not to pop the wire out of its bracket. The AAO says to floss at least once a day, because flossing removes plaque that brushing misses and plaque can lead to cavities, swollen gums, bad breath and permanent white marks.

Tools that make flossing easier

Healthline lists a floss threader, which pulls floss behind the wire, a water flosser with orthodontic tips that clean around brackets, which takes about three to five minutes, dental tape, which may be gentler on sensitive gums, and a small interproximal brush for cleaning around brackets and under wires. The AAO says interproximal brushes dislodge trapped plaque and food and water irrigators flush out particles.

Can you use mouthwash with braces?

The AAO says a daily fluoride rinse, over the counter or prescription, can strengthen enamel and help prevent white marks, and that your orthodontist may suggest using fluoride rinse in a water irrigator or on an interproximal brush. Healthline says mouthwash is optional in a water flosser. Use a fluoride rinse at a different time from brushing if you have been advised to spit and not rinse after toothpaste, as the NHS says. Ask your orthodontist which rinse to use.

Cleanings and checkups

Healthline suggests hygienist cleanings about every three months during braces. Keep your regular dental checkups as well as your orthodontic visits, because plaque around brackets raises the risk of gum problems and white marks.

What if my gums bleed with braces?

Mild bleeding can happen when gums are inflamed by plaque, and the AAO advises against avoiding the area, because that leaves more plaque. Cleveland Clinic says bleeding when you start flossing usually settles within a few weeks of daily flossing. Persistent, heavy or unexplained bleeding should be checked, so tell your orthodontist or dentist.

Questions to ask your orthodontist

Ask for a demonstration and written instructions.

• Which toothbrush, floss and brushes suit my braces?
• How often should I clean, and how do I use a threader or irrigator?
• Should I use a fluoride rinse, and when?
• How often should I see a hygienist?
• What should I do if a wire or bracket breaks?

Frequently asked questions