Brushing your teeth properly while wearing braces can be a challenge, due to the extra number of surfaces and the presence of tight spaces where food and plaque accumulate. But wearing braces doesn’t mean your oral hygiene should suffer. Your brushing technique will require a more mindful approach, but with the right tools and techniques, you can continue to prevent plaque buildup, gum inflammation and long-term damage to your teeth.
In this article, we will explore how to brush teeth with braces effectively, the best tools for cleaning around brackets and wires, common mistakes and foods to watch out for and more.
What Is the Best Way to Brush Teeth with Braces?
Brushing teeth with braces is about precision and consistency. Follow this simple guide and tip list to ensure you’re doing it properly:
Daily Routine
- Brush a minimum of twice a day – Morning and before bed
- Use fluoride toothpaste – Protects enamel and prevents decay
- Brush for 2 – 3 minutes – Ensure full coverage
- Rinse with mouthwash – Helps reach areas around brackets
Brushing Technique
- Gumline – When brushing your gumline, be sure to angle your brush at 45° and use gentle circular motions
- Brackets – For the metal brackets, brush above, on and below each individual bracket
- Back teeth – Don’t forget or neglect your molars. Use a mirror if needed.
- Chewing surfaces – Brush flat areas of your teeth thoroughly
How to Brush Teeth with Braces Electric Toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes are ideal for braces. They clean more effectively and reduce the risk of overbrushing. Utilising tools like these come with a range of benefits to your everyday brushing habits and your overall oral hygiene.
- Sonic or oscillating heads remove plaque efficiently
- Built-in timers ensure proper brushing time
- Pressure sensors protect gums and enamel
- Orthodontic brush heads fit around brackets
We find it especially helpful to hold the brush gently on each tooth for a few seconds, as opposed to manually dragging the bristles across your tooth. Let the brush do the work and generally avoid overly scrubbing.
Can I Brush My Teeth with Braces Wax On?
You can brush with wax on your braces, however there are a few things to keep in mind. The wax is primarily used to protect soft tissues from irritation and doesn’t really interfere with cleaning. Be sure to brush gently around the waxed areas and to replace any wax that becomes dislodged whilst brushing.
Use interdental brushes or water flossers if you find flossing also becomes difficult.
What Can I Use to Make Brushing with Braces Easier?
- Electric toothbrush – Allows for deep cleaning around brackets
- Interdental brush – Helps to reach areas between your teeth and the wires of your braces
- Water flosser – This will remove lodged debris without damaging your braces
- Floss threader – Helps to reach beneath wires
What Foods Should I Avoid Eating with Braces
Brushing while wearing braces is already more difficult than standard brushing. To keep things straightforward and manageable, we recommend avoiding the following list of foods, especially during your first week of wearing your braces. These foods are known to damage brackens and worsen sensitivity.
- Hard bread – Baguettes and crusty bread are infamous for dislodging brackets
- Sticky sweets – Even without braces, sticky sweets will increase the risk of decay.
- Ice cream – Eating cold sweets like ice cream will likely worsen any pre-existing tooth sensitivity
- Citrus fruits – The acidity of citrus fruits like oranges and lemons can irritate sore gums
Recommended alternatives include things like yoghurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies, scrambled eggs and more.
Why Is It Important to Brush While Wearing Braces?
Braces create small spaces where plaque can hide, especially around brackets, wires and between teeth. Without proper brushing, these areas become hotspots for bacterial buildup, which can quickly lead to oral health issues such as tooth decay, gum inflammation, white spot lesions and bad breath.
These risks highlight why a consistent and thorough brushing routine is essential throughout orthodontic treatment. With the right approach, patients like you can keep their teeth and gums healthy while working towards a straighter smile.
Conclusion
At Cheslyn Hay Dental Practice, we provide tailored advice to help patients maintain excellent oral hygiene throughout their orthodontic treatment. Our hygiene appointments allow us to monitor progress and offer practical guidance, while our team ensures access to the latest tools and techniques for cleaning around braces.
Whether you’re unsure how to brush teeth with braces, need help choosing an electric toothbrush or whatever else, we’re here to support you with expert care and friendly service across Cannock and Walsall.
