Proper brushing and flossing with braces are essential for keeping your teeth, gums, and smile healthy throughout orthodontic treatment. Food and plaque can collect around brackets and wires, increasing the risk of cavities, swollen gums, white spots on the teeth, and bad breath if not cleaned properly. At Strouse Orthodontics, Dr. Eric Strouse and our team will show you the best ways to care for your braces and recommend the right toothbrushes, flossing tools, fluoride toothpaste, and other products to help protect your smile during treatment.
How to Brush Your Teeth with Braces
Patients with braces should brush after every meal and snack using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Brushing thoroughly helps remove plaque and food particles that can become trapped around brackets and wires.
For the best results:
- Brush for at least two full minutes each time
- Use gentle circular motions instead of aggressive scrubbing
- Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline
- Clean above and below each bracket carefully
- Brush the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of every tooth
- Pay extra attention to the gumline and areas around orthodontic appliances
A powered electric toothbrush can also improve cleaning efficiency and make brushing easier for many orthodontic patients.
Why Oral Hygiene is Important with Braces
Braces create additional areas where plaque and bacteria can accumulate. Without proper brushing and flossing, patients may develop:
- Cavities
- Gingivitis and gum inflammation
- White spot lesions on teeth
- Bad breath
- Permanent staining around brackets
Excellent oral hygiene helps ensure that when your braces come off, your teeth are not only straight, but also healthy and bright.
Flossing with Braces
Flossing with braces can be more challenging, but it is extremely important for preventing gum disease and cleaning between the teeth where toothbrushes cannot reach.
Helpful flossing tools include:
- Floss threaders
- Platypus flossers
- Orthodontic flossers
- Water flossers
- Super floss
Our team at Strouse Orthodontics can demonstrate the easiest and most effective flossing techniques for braces and clear aligner patients.
