Brushing your teeth with braces
braces care · how to clean braces · oral hygiene with braces
With braces, food gets stuck more easily, and teeth need more careful cleaning. Here is how to do it at home every day.
For everyone who wears braces, from the first day until they come off.
⏱ Duration: usually 5 to 10 minutes in the morning and evening
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Brushes. An orthodontic toothbrush with a notch, and a small interdental brush for the space under the wire.
- Floss. Floss with a stiff end, or a water flosser, helps clean between teeth. Your dentist can suggest what to choose.
- Toothpaste. Regular fluoride toothpaste, unless your doctor advised another.
What to bring
- Your orthodontic toothbrush
- Interdental brushes
- Floss or a water flosser
- A mirror
How it goes
- Rinse your mouth with water to wash away food
- Brush above the brackets with the brush angled down
- Then brush below the brackets with the brush angled up
- Use an interdental brush under the wire between the brackets
- Brush the inside surfaces of your teeth
- Clean between your teeth with floss or a water flosser
- Check the mirror to see if any food is left
What you'll feel
- At first it takes a long time, then you get used to it
- Gums may bleed a little in the first days, and it goes away with regular cleaning
Afterwards
- Brush after every meal if you can
- Avoid hard and sticky foods: nuts, toffee, chewing gum
- Cut hard fruit into small pieces
- Professional cleaning at the dentist follows your doctor's schedule
Contact a doctor straight away if
- A bracket came off or the wire pokes your cheek: book a visit with your doctor
Common questions
Can I use an electric toothbrush?
Yes, with a suitable head. Move slowly and carefully.
Why do white spots appear on teeth?
Most often from poor cleaning around the braces. Tell your doctor as early as possible.