To brush with braces, angle a soft toothbrush at the gumline and brush in small circles around every bracket, on the outside, inside and chewing surfaces. Floss once a day with a floss threader to get under the archwire.
Why does cleaning matter more with braces?
Brackets and wires create dozens of small ledges where plaque and food collect. Plaque left around a bracket for weeks can irritate the gums and leave chalky white marks on the enamel once the braces come off. Good daily cleaning is what keeps your teeth as healthy at the end of treatment as they were at the start, so the reveal day is about a straight smile, not stains.
When you get your braces, our treatment coordinator shows you how to brush and floss properly, as described in our life with braces guide. This post is the reference to come back to once you are home.
How do you brush your teeth with braces?
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste, and take your time. Our practice guidance boils down to three rules: brush the outside, inside and chewing surfaces and the gumline; brush in small circles to reach between the archwires and around the corners of each bracket; and be thorough but gentle so you do not damage the braces.
- Rinse first to loosen food caught in the brackets.
- Angle the brush toward the gumline above the brackets and work along each tooth.
- Angle the brush down from above and up from below so the bristles reach both sides of each bracket.
- Brush the inside surfaces and chewing surfaces as you normally would.
- Finish with a look in the mirror: brackets should look shiny, not fuzzy.
Brush after meals when you can, and always before bed. If you cannot brush after lunch, at least rinse well with water.
How do you floss with braces?
The archwire blocks floss from coming down between the teeth, so you need to go under it. We recommend a floss threader, a flexible tool with a solid end that makes it easy to push floss through behind the archwire. Thread the floss under the wire, wrap it around the side of one tooth, slide it gently below the gumline, then the neighboring tooth, and repeat for each gap.
It takes longer than flossing without braces at first, and most people get faster within a couple of weeks. Once a day is the goal. Water flossers and small interdental brushes can be helpful extras for flushing out food around brackets, but they work best alongside string floss, not instead of it.
Which tools make cleaning easier?
| Tool | What it is for | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Soft toothbrush | Cleaning tooth surfaces, gumline and around brackets | After meals and before bed |
| Floss threader | Getting floss under the archwire between teeth | Once a day |
| Interdental brush | Cleaning under the wire and around bracket edges | As needed, after meals |
| Water flosser | Flushing loose food from around brackets | Optional add-on to flossing |
| Orthodontic wax | Covering a bracket or wire that rubs your cheek | As needed |
What foods make cleaning harder?
The foods that break brackets are often the same ones that cling to them. Sticky foods such as caramel, gum and taffy coat the wires, and crunchy snacks like popcorn and chips pack into the brackets. Sugary drinks bathe the teeth in sugar between brushings. Our post on what to eat with braces has a full list of braces-friendly meals.
Do you still need dental cleanings during treatment?
Yes. Professional cleanings are still extremely important while you are in braces. Keep visiting your dentist every six months, or as often as your dentist advises, and Dr. Battle is happy to coordinate with your dentist on any needs during treatment. Our post on dental cleanings with braces explains what those visits look like.
How do you prevent white spots on your teeth?
White spots are chalky patches that can appear on the enamel around where brackets sat, and they are caused by plaque left on the teeth for long periods. They are much easier to prevent than to fix. The pattern is predictable: they show up on teeth where plaque was regularly missed near the gumline and around the bracket edges.
- Brush around every bracket after meals and before bed, not just the flat tooth surfaces.
- Floss under the wire once a day so plaque does not build up between teeth.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste, and ask your dentist whether extra fluoride makes sense for you.
- Limit sticky sweets and sugary drinks, especially sipping them slowly through the day.
- Keep your six-month cleanings with your dentist throughout treatment.
How do you clean around bands, elastics and appliances?
The metal bands around the back molars collect plaque along their edges, so give them extra attention with the brush angled toward the gumline. If you wear elastics, take them out to brush and floss, then put fresh ones in as instructed. Patients with a palatal expander or another fixed appliance should brush the appliance itself and rinse well after meals; we will show you how to clean it when it is placed.
If a bracket comes loose or a wire starts poking while you clean, cover it with orthodontic wax and call us. Our emergency orthodontist page explains which problems can wait for your next visit and which need a call right away.
What does a simple daily routine look like?
Most patients settle into a rhythm within the first couple of weeks. In the morning, brush around every bracket and the gumline. After lunch, brush if you can, or rinse well with water if you cannot. In the evening, floss under the wire with a threader, brush thoroughly, and check your work in the mirror before bed. Before each adjustment visit, take a minute to brush carefully so we can see your teeth and gums clearly.
Treat it like part of the treatment, because it is. Clean teeth move just as well as any others, and a healthy mouth at the end is what makes the result worth showing off.
Frequently asked questions about cleaning braces
How long should I brush with braces?
Plan on a few minutes, longer than you are used to. The goal is to clean around every bracket, which takes more time than brushing bare teeth.
Can I use an electric toothbrush with braces?
Yes. An electric toothbrush can be very effective around brackets. Use a soft head and let it do the work instead of pressing hard.
What if I cannot brush after lunch at school or work?
Rinse well with water to clear food from the brackets, then brush thoroughly when you get home.
Do clear aligners need the same routine?
Aligners come out to eat, so you brush and floss as usual before putting them back. Clean the trays daily.
Questions about your routine? Bring them to your next visit, or request an appointment and our team will show you again.
