Why braces make cleaning harder
Brackets and wires create ledges where plaque collects and where a normal brushing stroke does not reach. Plaque left against the enamel can cause white chalky marks, cavities and swollen, bleeding gums, and these show up as soon as the braces come off. They are the most preventable problem of treatment, and they depend on what you do each day, not on the type of braces. The risks are set out in braces side effects.
The aim is not more scrubbing but more careful brushing, using the right tools and taking the time.
The technique: above, below and across
Use a soft toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Start with the outer surfaces. Angle the bristles about 45 degrees towards the gum line and brush the area above the brackets with small circular or short back-and-forth strokes. Then angle the brush upward and clean below the brackets in the same way, and finish by brushing the surface of each bracket and the tooth between them.
Pay particular attention to the line where the gum meets the tooth, because plaque left there causes the most gum trouble. Then clean the biting surfaces and the inner surfaces, as you would without braces. Do this for the whole mouth and take at least two minutes. Check in a mirror that no food is left around the brackets, particularly in the corners and on the back teeth, and look for plaque, which shows as a dull, whitish film. Brush after every meal if you can, and always before bed. If you cannot, rinse well with water after eating.
An electric toothbrush is fine, provided you still guide it around each bracket. Be gentle. Pressing hard does not clean better and can damage the gums.
Orthodontic brushes and interdental brushes
A toothbrush with a V-shaped channel cut into the bristles is sold as an orthodontic brush or a brush for braces. The channel sits over the brackets while the longer bristles clean either side. It helps, but any soft brush used with the technique above works.
A small interdental brush, shaped like a tiny bottle brush, is the most useful extra. Slide it under the archwire and between the brackets, and move it gently in and out. A single-tuft brush does the same for corners and around the back teeth. Use a size that fits without forcing. Replace the brush when its bristles bend, and keep a travel toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste in your bag so that lunch at school or work does not mean skipping a clean. Children with braces often need a parent to check their work for the first few weeks.
Flossing: threaders and water flossers
Ordinary floss cannot pass under the wire, so use a floss threader, a loop of plastic that carries the floss through, or a floss with a stiff end. Pass the floss through, curve it against one tooth and slide it just below the gum, then move it up and down. Repeat on the neighbouring tooth. It takes a few minutes, so once a day, usually at night, is realistic.
A water flosser is a good addition for flushing food from around the brackets and under the wire. Treat it as a supplement and not a replacement, since it does not remove sticky plaque from the tooth surface as well as brushing and flossing do. Whatever you use, keep the mouth clear of food after meals.
Fluoride, rinses and keeping white marks away
Fluoride strengthens enamel against acid. Brush with a fluoride toothpaste, and spit out the foam without rinsing with water afterwards, so some stays on the teeth. Some orthodontists also advise a fluoride mouthrinse at a different time of day. Follow your own orthodontist's advice on that.
Cut down on sugary drinks and sweets between meals, because every sugar exposure feeds the plaque around the brackets. Plain water is best. The foods that damage braces are listed in do braces hurt. Keep your regular hygiene visits during treatment, since a professional clean removes hardened deposits that brushing cannot, and see the gum treatment page if your gums are bleeding or swollen.
Sore gums at the start usually improve with better cleaning. If a bracket or wire is rubbing your cheek while you brush, orthodontic wax can help. If you are unsure whether your technique is working, ask for a demonstration at your next visit. The wider treatment process is on the braces and orthodontics page.
Common questions
How often should I brush with braces?
After every meal if you can, and always before bed, for at least two minutes each time. Rinse well with water if you cannot brush. The bedtime clean matters most, because saliva flow falls overnight and plaque sits longer.
Do I need a special toothbrush for braces?
No, but one can help. A soft brush with a V-shaped channel fits over brackets, and an interdental brush cleans under the wire. A regular soft brush used carefully above and below each bracket also works well.
Can I floss with braces?
Yes, and you should once a day. Use a floss threader or a stiff-ended floss to pass the floss under the wire, then clean beside each tooth. A water flosser can help, but it does not replace flossing.
Is a water flosser enough for braces?
No. It flushes out food and loose debris around brackets, which is useful, but it does not remove the sticky plaque film. Use it alongside brushing and flossing or interdental brushes.
Why are my gums bleeding with braces?
Usually because plaque is sitting along the gum line, which inflames the gum. Better brushing above the brackets and daily interdental cleaning normally improves it within a couple of weeks. If it persists or the gums are swollen, tell your dentist or orthodontist.
About this page
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a quotation. Prices are prevailing Lucknow market ranges. Your own treatment and cost are determined after an examination. For questions about your own case, call +91 83036 12717.