“How do I keep my teeth clean with braces?”

Brush, avoid sticky food and a water pick might help. It’s best to have the teeth cleaned four times a year while in braces.

I know it sounds cliche, but brush, brush, brush. Make sure to especially brush the area around the brackets and the space from the bracket towards the gum line. Since there are more areas to keep clean, make sure to spend extra time than if you did not have braces. Studies have shown that a person who really pays attention to detail can do a good job brushing with a manual toothbrush in 3 minutes. So if you have braces, I would recommend minimum 5 minutes, but 7 or 8 would be better. You can also use a floss threader or OralB Superfloss to make flossing in between each tooth easier.

You should brush your teeth after every meal and floss daily with floss threaders. You should spend at least 2 minutes brushing every time and brush all sides of every bracket, especially along the gum line.

Oral hygiene with braces is challenging, but must be successfully accomplished every day. Your 10X power lighted make- up mirror will be a superior critic of your ability. It will amaze you by showing where you missed as will water pic use after brushing. I highly recommend water jet devices. Disclosing tablets can be used several times a week to let you know how well you clean. Power toothbrushes are great, but not necessary. The main thing is to check each area visually with a magnification mirror. Don't go anywhere to eat without a toothbrush. You wear what you eat stuck on braces. Get regular cleanings while wearing braces (with the wires OUT!). Healthy gums do not bleed and a healthy mouth is a key factor in overall health. Conquer the challenge!

Hello,

Congratulations on getting straight teeth! Keeping your teeth clean with braces on them is a difficult task for anyone. There are some things you can use that will make things easier. For example, some places give out special toothbrushes that have a V cut in the bristles to help get the bristles around the brackets and wires. Floss threaders are thin plastic pieces that you can tie floss to so you can get it over the wires. The other thing to keep in mind is that preventing cavities while having braces means to keep on top of keeping your teeth clean. First, make sure to at least rinse after each mean. This will minimize the amount of food that gets trapped against your teeth from the wires and brackets. If you can brush after each meal that would be even better. Secondly, do not get discouraged with flossing. It takes a bit of practice and some time to get it down while having braces on.
Hope this helps.

My best to you!

William F. Scott IV, DMD

It is very much a challenge to do so. It takes a lot of meticulous brushing and the use of a rubber tip device to reach the areas that the bristles of the brush cannot reach. Use whatever works best for you in order to reach as much of the "hidden" areas as possible.
Good luck with your daunting task.

I would recommend that WaterPik water flosser you can put medicaments like a teaspoon of baking soda, capful of hydrogen peroxide and 10 drops of iodine in the solution to keep your gums healthy and teeth white

Best Regards,
Dr. Mark Berkowitz

There is a lot of research on which toothbrush is best for braces but the bottom line is that as long as any type is used properly it can do the job. The key is to concentrate on the area between the brace and the gum tissue. Make sure to brush everywhere for a total of 2 minutes but pay particular attention to the areas noted above. Any Fluoride toothpaste is fine. At least 2X/day and hopefully a brushing or good rinse after your midday meal.

Use an orthodontic toothbrush which is made for this purpose.