Brushing & Flossing With Braces

Brush your teeth at least three times a day — after each meal and before bed. If you’re not able to brush after a meal, rinsing your mouth with water can help dislodge food particles until you can brush properly.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush designed for orthodontic care. Orthodontic toothbrushes have bristles arranged in a way that makes it easier to clean around braces and wires.

Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and brush in small, circular motions. Ensure you clean all surfaces of the teeth and braces, including the fronts, sides, and chewing surfaces, as well as the areas above and below the brackets. Spend about 10 seconds on each tooth before moving to the next one, and don't forget to brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove bacteria.

Flossing with braces can be challenging, but tools like floss threaders, orthodontic flossers, or water flossers can make the process easier and more effective.

Using about 18 inches of floss and a floss threader, thread the floss behind the wire. Gently move the floss up and down between two teeth, reaching the gum line. Be careful not to snap the floss into the gums. Repeat this process for each tooth, using a clean section of floss each time.