“Which toothbrushes are best for braces and Invisalign?”

Most top brands of electric tooth brushes do a good job when used with braces. The vibrating stimulation of the electric brushes are particularly helpful in maintaining gum tissue health during treatment.

First, for conventional braces, I think a Water Pic is essential for much improved oral hygiene. However, brushes, floss, interproximal cleaners and fluoride rinses all have their place regardless of fixed appliances or clear aligners. The smaller and softer the brush, the better, and trays should be cleaned with soap and water with a small brush that gets down into the
tooth indentations. Power brushes with small heads that clean one tooth at a time are will win you over if used correctly. Clear trays and retainers should not be soaked in mouthwash. All that said, it is the person attached to the handle that determines how well the mouth is cleaned. A 10X lighted make up mirror is worth its weight in gold if you examine your teeth after brushing. Disclosing tablets help train you to do a better job because you can see where you missed. Excellent oral hygiene is critical with any kind of appliance placed in the mouth.

Dr. John Harrison

Any ADA approved toothbrush will be acceptable, however the areas to focus on will be the gum line and in between the braces. We utilize a training video and a powered toothbrush (Oral B or Sonicare). We also provide our patients with a fluoride rinse to be used each night.

Hello,

I am a fan of electric toothbrushes (almost any manufacturer) compared to a manual toothbrush. Studies have shown that when used properly, there is minimal difference between manual and electric toothbrushes, but it is very difficult to brush teeth properly during treatment with braces or clear aligners. This is where electric toothbrushes are easier for patients to use properly. Keeping the teeth and gums clean is critical to successful treatment, so proper brushing is essential. In my practice, I recommend SonicCare. I like the timers and the simplicity of this brush.
I hope this helps!

John Ballrick

There are specifically shaped tooth brush heads that get around braces the best. We provide manual and electric toothbrushes with those shaped heads to our patients.


Dr. Colin Gibson

For Invisalign any brush you like is good. For braces there are special orthodontic brushes or brushes the have bristles of varying lengths. You can also use a high quality electric brush like Sonicare or Oral B

Any kind of toothbrush is okay to use with Invisalign treatment. The brushing technique is the key factor to achieve optimal oral hygiene. Please contact your orthodontist/dentist for more information on bruising or flossing with Invisalign.

Dr. H. Nagori, B.D.S, MPA, C.A.G.S (Orthodontics), ABO