Getting dental braces is an investment in your smile, and like any investment, how well you look after it determines the outcome you get. While braces work hard to straighten your teeth, they also create more surfaces and spaces for plaque to accumulate, making dental care with braces more involved than your usual routine.
The good news is that with the right tools and habits, keeping your teeth clean throughout orthodontic treatment is very manageable. Some patients even come out of braces with better oral hygiene habits than they went in with.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to take care of your teeth while wearing your braces.
Why Oral Hygiene Matters More with Braces
Brackets, wires, and bands create a complex landscape in the mouth that traps food particles and plaque far more easily than smooth tooth surfaces. Without thorough cleaning, plaque build-up around brackets can lead to a range of problems, including tooth decay, gum inflammation, and, most frustratingly, white spot lesions.
White spot lesions are areas of enamel demineralisation that appear as chalky white marks on the teeth, often visible once braces are removed. They are one of the most common and preventable side effects of poor oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment.
Preventing white spot lesions is one of the most important reasons to take your braces cleaning routine seriously from day one.
Brushing with Braces: What You Need to Know
Brushing with braces requires more time and technique than standard brushing. Here’s what an effective routine looks like:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush — either a manual brush or an electric toothbrush with a round head, which can clean around brackets more effectively
- Brush at a 45-degree angle above and below each bracket to remove plaque from all surfaces
- Brush after every meal — not just morning and night. Food gets trapped around brackets easily, and the longer it sits, the greater the decay risk
- Spend at least two minutes brushing, giving each section of the mouth adequate attention
- Use fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen enamel and reduce the risk of demineralisation around the brackets
After brushing, check your teeth and braces in a mirror. If you can see plaque or food residue remaining, go back and clean those areas again.
Flossing with Braces
Flossing with braces is more time-consuming than flossing without braces, but it’s not optional. The wire running across your teeth means you cannot simply slide floss down between teeth the usual way. You need to thread it underneath the wire first.
The most practical tools for flossing around braces include:
- Floss threaders — reusable plastic needles that help guide floss under the wire and between teeth
- Orthodontic floss — pre-cut floss with a stiff end designed to thread under wires more easily
- Interdental brushes for braces — small brush heads on a handle that fit between the brackets and wires to dislodge trapped food and plaque
- Water flosser for braces — a device that uses a pressurised stream of water to flush out debris from around brackets and under the gumline; particularly useful for patients who find manual flossing around wires difficult
Floss at least once a day, ideally before bed. It takes practice at first, but it becomes quicker with time.
Using Fluoride Mouthwash with Braces
Adding a fluoride mouthwash to your braces cleaning routine provides an extra layer of protection against the demineralisation that causes white spot lesions. Use it after brushing and flossing. Swish for the recommended time and don’t rinse with water afterwards, to allow the fluoride to continue working.
Fluoride mouthwash for braces is particularly recommended for patients who are at higher risk of enamel damage, including those with a history of cavities or who consume a lot of acidic foods and drinks. Your dentist or orthodontist can recommend a suitable product based on your needs.
Foods to Avoid with Braces
What you eat has a direct impact on both your braces and your teeth. Foods to avoid with braces fall into two main categories:
Foods that can damage the braces:
- Hard foods — nuts, hard lollies, crusty bread, raw carrots
- Sticky foods — chewing gum, caramel, chewy lollies
- Crunchy foods that require biting with front teeth — apples, corn on the cob
Foods that increase decay risk:
- Sugary drinks — soft drink, sports drinks, fruit juice
- Acidic foods and drinks — which weaken enamel already under stress from the brackets
Cutting these foods out during treatment protects both your orthodontic hardware and the health of your teeth underneath. A broken bracket or bent wire means an unplanned appointment and a potential delay to your treatment timeline.
Don’t Skip Your Professional Cleans
Braces and dental care go hand in hand with regular professional check-ups. Even the most diligent home routine cannot fully remove all plaque and tartar build-up, especially around brackets and under wires.
As we cover in our guide on how professional teeth cleaning supports gum health, regular scale and clean appointments remove the build-up that brushing and flossing alone can’t reach, which is especially important when braces are creating additional plaque traps in the mouth.
During orthodontic treatment, more frequent professional cleans are often recommended to stay on top of plaque and catch any early signs of decay or gum inflammation before they develop.
Managing Braces Mouth Ulcers
Brace mouth ulcers are a common complaint, particularly in the early weeks of treatment when the inside of the cheeks and lips are still adjusting to the hardware. The brackets and wires can rub against soft tissue, causing small sores that are uncomfortable but usually short-lived.
To manage mouth ulcers from braces:
- Apply orthodontic wax over any bracket or wire that is rubbing
- Use a saltwater rinse to soothe irritated tissue and promote healing
- Apply a topical oral gel for temporary relief if the soreness is significant
- Avoid acidic or spicy foods while ulcers are present
Most patients find that their mouth toughens up within a few weeks and mouth ulcers become far less frequent as treatment progresses.
Good Habits Now Mean a Healthier Smile Later
The effort you put into caring for dental braces throughout your treatment directly shapes the result you see when they come off. Clean teeth, healthy gums, and no white spot lesions are entirely achievable. It just takes consistency with the right routine.
If you’re considering dental braces in Toongabbie or are already in treatment and want guidance on your care routine, our team at Dentist Near Me Toongabbie is here to help. We offer payment plans for patients who are eligible to help manage the cost of orthodontic treatment.
Book your appointment online or call us at (02) 7905 0814.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I brush my teeth properly with braces?
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush at a 45-degree angle above and below each bracket. Brush after every meal and spend at least two minutes each time.
An electric toothbrush with a round head may help make it easier to clean around the brackets thoroughly.
How do I floss with braces on?
Use a floss threader or orthodontic floss to guide the floss under the wire before threading it between your teeth. Interdental brushes and water flossers are also effective tools for cleaning around brackets and wires. Floss at least once a day, ideally at night before bed.
What foods should I avoid with braces?
Avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods that can damage brackets or wires, such as hard lollies, chewing gum, nuts, and crusty bread. Also, limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks that increase the risk of tooth decay and enamel damage during treatment.
What are white spot lesions and how do I prevent them?
White spot lesions are chalky white marks on the tooth surface caused by enamel demineralisation from plaque build-up around brackets. They are preventable with thorough brushing after every meal, daily flossing, regular use of fluoride mouthwash, and keeping up with professional cleans throughout treatment.
How do I deal with mouth ulcers from braces?
Apply orthodontic wax over any bracket or wire that is rubbing to reduce irritation. Use a saltwater rinse to soothe the sore tissue and speed up healing. A topical oral gel can also provide temporary relief. Most patients find that mouth ulcers become less frequent after the first few weeks as the mouth adjusts to the braces.
How often should I see my dentist while wearing braces?
In addition to your regular orthodontic appointments, it’s recommended to have a professional cleaning every three to four months during braces treatment. This helps remove plaque and tartar build-up that accumulates around brackets, reducing the risk of decay and gum inflammation throughout your treatment.
Can I use an electric toothbrush with braces?
Yes, an electric toothbrush with a round oscillating head is actually well-suited for cleaning around brackets and may even be more effective than a manual brush for some patients. Use it with a soft brush head and take care not to press too hard against the wires or brackets.