How to Clean Your Teeth Properly With Braces
OrthodontistsGetting braces is the first step toward a perfect smile, but keeping your teeth clean during treatment is the real challenge. Brackets and wires create nooks and crannies where food gets trapped and plaque accumulates quickly.
If you don't clean properly, you risk developing 'white spot lesions'—permanent white squares of decalcification that remain on your teeth after the braces come off. Here is how to keep your smile spotless.
The Essential Toolkit
You need more than just a toothbrush. Your arsenal should include:
- Soft-bristled Toothbrush (or electric brush with an ortho head).
- Interdental Brush (Proxabrush): A tiny pine-tree shaped brush for cleaning under the wire.
- Floss Threader: A stiff needle-like tool to guide floss under the main wire.
- Water Flosser: Highly recommended for blasting debris out of brackets.
The 45-Degree Angle Technique
Brushing straight on isn't enough. You must brush at a 45-degree angle **above** the bracket (aiming down) and then **below** the bracket (aiming up). This ensures you clean the critical area between the bracket and the gum line.
Don't Skip Flossing
Flossing with braces is tedious, but mandatory. Use a floss threader to get under the archwire for every single tooth. Do this at least once a day, preferably at night. A water flosser is a great *addition* to flossing, but it does not replace the physical scraping action of string floss.
Watch What You Eat
Sugar + Brackets = Cavities. Minimize sugary sodas and sticky candies. The sugar gets trapped around the bracket, and the bacteria begin to eat away at your enamel immediately.