Brushing with braces is no easy task. If not cleaned properly, the brackets and wires create new surfaces for food and plaque to hide, leading to tooth decay, risk of gum disease, and staining. That’s why mastering how to brush teeth with braces is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums during orthodontic treatment. Below, we’ll explore six expert-backed tips and tricks that will help you keep your mouth healthy and clean while wearing braces.

1. Use a Soft Toothbrush

When you have braces, the most important place to brush is the space between the brackets and the gums. We suggest using a soft toothbrush because it is impossible to brush this area without the toothbrush in contact with the gums. A hard or medium toothbrush will cause more damage to the gum line. To make brushing even more effective, consider using a toothbrush designed specifically for brushing teeth with orthodontic appliances. These brushes are shaped to clean around wires and brackets while gently cleaning your enamel and gums.

Electric toothbrushes with soft bristles can be a smart choice, especially for patients with braces. Their consistent, gentle motion helps improve brushing efficiency while minimising plaque buildup around brackets and wires. For a deeper comparison between electric and manual options, check out our blog post Electric or Manual: A Dentist Weighs In on the Great Toothbrush Debate.

2. Start with a Wet Toothbrush and No Toothpaste

For those with braces, using the right technique is just as important as selecting the right toothpaste. If sensitivity is a concern, it’s helpful to start by brushing with just a wet toothbrush. This clears away food particles and plaque around brackets and wires, giving you a better view of your teeth. Once the area is clean, follow up with a gentle formula featured in Top Rated Toothpastes for Sensitive Teeth to ensure effective care without discomfort.

Once your mouth is debris-free, apply some of the best toothpaste for braces wearers. These formulas typically include fluoride, gentle abrasives, breath fresheners, and sometimes whitening agents to support oral health during orthodontic treatment. This two-step method improves visibility and control while brushing and reduces the risk of plaque buildup and white spots, making it an efficient and effective routine for anyone with braces.

3. Use a Picking Motion

While scrubbing does a respectable job of cleaning the braces’ surface, it will not eliminate plaque and food caught under the wires and brackets. A picking motion, however, will achieve a much better result. The average toothbrush has approximately 2,000 bristles that perform like little toothpicks, reaching all the bristles’ nooks and crannies. Focus on directing the bristles underneath the wires and around the brackets, making short, precise movements. This technique is one of the most critical brushing teeth with braces tips, as it dislodges food particles that typical brushing misses.

You may also benefit from using an interdental brush or proxabrush specially designed to clean between the teeth and under braces wires. These small tools can significantly enhance your oral hygiene routine while wearing braces.

4. Spend at Least Two Minutes Brushing

Split your time evenly: 30 seconds on your upper right side, 30 seconds on your lower right side, 30 seconds on your upper left side, and 30 seconds on your lower left side. Brushing for two full minutes ensures each tooth surface gets adequate attention. Use a timer or play your favourite two-minute song to keep track.

If you're wondering how to brush teeth with braces in a way that guarantees full coverage, consider breaking your routine into smaller zones as described. This ensures no area is left behind, especially the hard-to-reach molars, where plaque tends to hide. Be methodical and thorough. Don’t rush, especially since braces create more surfaces to clean.

5. Use the Best Toothpaste

This is misleading. The best toothpaste is actually the one that tastes best to you and, therefore, will encourage you to brush for the full two minutes. When choosing a toothpaste while wearing braces, look for fluoride content to help strengthen enamel and protect against cavities. Some of the best toothpastes for braces wearers include options with:

• Stannous fluoride for enhanced antibacterial protection
• Hydrated silica for gentle whitening without damaging enamel
• Potassium nitrate for reduced sensitivity (helpful when wires cause irritation)

Avoid whitening toothpaste if you already have braces. It may whiten only the exposed enamel, leaving uneven colour once your brackets are removed. Consider using a toothpaste recommended by your orthodontist that’s safe for brushing teeth with orthodontic appliances.

6. Know When to Rinse

When you finish brushing in the morning, you are welcome to rinse your mouth with water to remove the leftover foam. However, at night, you can spit but avoid rinsing. This will keep your teeth protected throughout the night. Why skip rinsing at night? Many fluoride toothpastes are designed to leave a protective coating on the enamel. Rinsing with water immediately after brushing washes away this valuable protection. This small adjustment in your routine can significantly boost enamel protection and help keep your teeth strong throughout your orthodontic journey.

Importance of Brushing Teeth with Braces

Proper oral hygiene while wearing braces is critical to:

• Prevent tooth decay and gum disease
• Avoid white spot lesions (decalcified areas around brackets)
• Maintain fresh breath and overall dental health.
• Ensure successful orthodontic treatment results.

Following these brushing teeth with braces tips will not only keep your smile healthy during treatment but also protect the investment you’ve made in achieving a straight smile.

Final Thoughts

Once your orthodontic treatment is complete, developing strong brushing habits while wearing braces is essential for achieving a healthy, beautiful smile. By using the right tools, proper techniques, and staying consistent, you can effectively brush your teeth with braces and maintain excellent oral health throughout your orthodontic journey. At Schaumburg Dental Studio, we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions or need personalised guidance, please contact us. We’re always happy to help!