The journey to a straighter smile with braces is an exciting one, but it also has its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to keeping your teeth clean. Maintaining good oral hygiene is more important than ever during orthodontic treatment to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy along the way.
Braces can make this a bit tricky, as they create extra spaces where food or plaque might hide, potentially leading to cavities and gum issues.
But don’t worry! We’re here to explain exactly how to clean teeth with braces. By following a few practical tips, you can keep your smile bright and healthy throughout your braces treatment — and beyond!
The Challenges of Cleaning Braces
Before we discuss how to clean dental braces, it’s important to understand the unique challenges they present.
Between the brackets and wires, braces can make your oral hygiene routine more complex than usual. Proper orthodontic braces care requires a shift in how you approach your daily dental regimen, demanding more time and attention.
Food and Plaque Accumulation
One of the most common issues for cleaning teeth with braces is the tendency for food particles to become trapped in the brackets and wires. This can happen with even the most careful eating habits, as their intricate design creates small spaces where food can easily lodge. Over time, these trapped particles may lead to the buildup of plaque — a sticky film of bacteria that causes tooth decay and gum disease if not properly managed.
Difficulty in Reaching Certain Areas
Braces can also make it more challenging to clean certain areas of your mouth effectively. For example, your brackets may obstruct your toothbrush and floss, making it difficult to reach the spaces between your teeth and along the gum line.
This can result in inadequate cleaning, allowing plaque to accumulate in these hard-to-reach areas. If left unchecked, issues such as cavities, gingivitis, and even more serious periodontal problems may develop.
How Do You Clean Teeth with Braces?
While it may seem daunting at first, learning how to clean teeth with braces is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. In the long run, cleaning and caring for braces protects your oral health and ensures that when your braces come off, your smile is as healthy as it is straight!
Brushing
Start by using a soft-bristled toothbrush, which is gentle on your gums and effective at cleaning around braces. Angle your toothbrush at 45 degrees towards the gum line to clean the area where the gums meet the teeth. Remember to brush gently around each bracket and wire to remove any trapped food particles!
Make sure to clean all surfaces of your teeth: the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces. Use a circular motion for at least three minutes, spending extra time cleaning between the braces and gums. Tilt the toothbrush downwards to clean the top of your braces and upwards for the bottom.
Ideally, you should brush after every meal to prevent food build-up, but if that’s not feasible, aim for at least twice a day.
Flossing
Flossing is equally important; even with the best brushing technique on the planet, there are some places only floss can reach! Use a threader or orthodontic flosser to navigate the floss behind each wire.
Carefully thread the floss and move it up and down the sides of each tooth to remove plaque and food particles. This should be done at least once daily (preferably before bedtime) to remove lingering plaque.
Tools for Cleaning Braces
Having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference. Here’s a look at how to clean your teeth with braces using helpful orthodontic products!
Interdental Brushes
Interdental brushes are a fantastic tool for anyone learning how to clean teeth with braces. These small brushes are designed to clean between the wires and teeth, reaching areas that a regular toothbrush might miss.
Their compact size allows them to get into tight spaces, effectively removing food particles and plaque that may accumulate. Using an interdental brush daily can significantly enhance your oral hygiene routine!
Water Flossers
Water flossers (also known as oral irrigators) are highly effective for removing debris and plaque from around braces. They use a stream of pulsating water to clean between teeth and along the gum line, reaching difficult areas that traditional floss might struggle with.
Water flossers are also very gentle on the gums, making them an excellent choice for those with sensitive gums or who find traditional flossing challenging.
Orthodontic Toothbrushes
Orthodontic toothbrushes are specifically designed for cleaning braces. They feature special bristle patterns that make it easier to clean around brackets and wires.
Their unique design helps ensure that all surfaces of your teeth are thoroughly cleaned, reducing the risk of plaque buildup as well as gum disease. Using an orthodontic toothbrush will make your brushing routine more effective and efficient!
Mouthwash
Incorporating mouthwash into your oral hygiene routine provides additional protection against plaque and gingivitis. For example, an antibacterial mouthwash helps reduce the bacteria that cause plaque, while a fluoride mouthwash strengthens enamel.
Rinsing with mouthwash after brushing keeps your mouth fresh and clean, providing an extra layer of defense against common oral health issues.
Professional Cleanings
In addition to your at-home routine, professional cleanings are key in maintaining your oral health and, most importantly, the success of your braces treatment.
These cleanings remove tartar buildup that regular brushing and flossing might miss. Tartar — a hardened form of plaque — can accumulate around brackets and wires, increasing the risk of gum disease or tooth decay.
Regular appointments at our Lawrenceville office allow our trained staff to check for any potential issues with your braces. We can identify problems such as loose brackets, broken wires, or other areas of concern that might require attention.
Early detection of these issues prevents more significant problems down the line, making certain that your orthodontic treatment stays on track.
Additional Tips for Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste Options: Consider using an electric toothbrush for more efficient cleaning, and choose a fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen your teeth.
- Healthy Eating: A balanced diet supports overall health and protects your braces! Focus on consuming plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. These foods provide the nutrients necessary for maintaining strong teeth and gums.
- Avoid Certain Foods: Steer clear of chewy, sticky, hard, or crunchy foods that can damage your braces. Foods like gummies, taffies, chips, hard pretzels, and popcorn kernels might get stuck in your braces — or even break them.
- Modify Eating Habits: For certain foods, it’s a good idea to cut them into smaller pieces instead of biting directly into them (think apples or bagels). This reduces the risk of damaging your braces and makes it easier to clean your teeth afterward.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps wash away food particles and bacteria, keeping your mouth cleaner between brushing sessions.
- Use Mouthwash: Consider using an antibacterial mouthwash to help reduce plaque and prevent gum disease. This can be a helpful addition to your oral hygiene routine, especially if you’re unable to brush immediately after a meal.
- Keep a Dental Braces Cleaning Kit: Having a dental care kit on hand can make it easier to maintain your oral hygiene routine, even when you’re on the go. Include a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, interdental brushes, and floss in your kit to clean your teeth and braces after meals — no matter where you are!
Take Care of Your Smile with Callan Orthodontics
By following these steps and working closely with an orthodontic team, you’re on your way to a successful treatment and a beautiful, lasting smile!
If you have any questions or concerns about your oral care routine, simply reach out to us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Callan. Wherever your braces journey leads, we’re with you every step of the way!