Oral Hygiene with Braces

• Use a soft-bristled or bi-level toothbrush, or an electric brush on moderate power. Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes, covering all surfaces—front, back, chewing surfaces, and areas around brackets and wires.
   

• Technique

• Front surfaces: small circular motions

• Near gums: tilt brush toward the gum line (up for top teeth, down for bottom)

• Chewing surfaces: firm back-and-forth motion

• Back surfaces: same as front

Struggling to clean around your braces? Certain tools can help reach those tricky spots.

• Interdental toothbrush: It has a small tuft of bristles that stick up all around, like a pipe cleaner. Use it gently and carefully to clean the tiny spaces under wires and around bands and brackets.

• Oral irrigator or "water pick.": This device shoots a small stream of pressurized water at your teeth, which can help dislodge bits of food that become trapped in nooks and crannies. While it's easy to use, an oral irrigator isn't a substitute for a toothbrush or dental floss — but when used along with proper brushing and flossing techniques, it can be very effective.

• Floss at least once daily using a floss threader to get under the archwire. Slide the floss along each side of the teeth and under the gums, using a fresh section for each area.
   

• To check your cleaning effectiveness, use disclosing tablets or solutions, which reveal plaque and food debris that brushing may miss. Proper daily care helps you get the best results from your orthodontic treatment and protects your long-term oral health.