How to Clean Braces the Right Way: A Guide

Are you wondering how to clean braces the right way but don’t know where to start? Keep reading and learn more about it here.

Braces are used to correct everything from crooked teeth to misaligned jaws. Their effect on your teeth can prevent gum disease, tooth decay, jaw issues, speech impediments, and more. Plus, they give you the smile of your dreams.

As great as perfect teeth sound, braces can only help your smile when they’re cared for. Proper cleaning is one of the essential parts of braces care. When braces aren’t clean plaques and cavities will begin to form on your teeth, delaying their progress.

Looking to brush up on your braces cleaning technique? Luckily for you, everything you need to know about how to clean braces is waiting below.

How to Clean Braces

When you have braces, brushing your teeth isn’t as easy as before. The brackets and wires make it difficult for the toothbrush to make contact with your teeth. To clean your smile, you will have to change your brushing technique.

As difficult as changing things up may sound, brushing with braces isn’t hard as it seems.

Step 1. Brush What You Can See

When you begin brushing with your braces, you need to start with what you can see. Begin by opening your mouth and biting down so the front of your teeth is exposed.

Choose either the top or bottom row of teeth and begin running the toothbrush along with parts of your teeth that are not covered with braces. Brush at an angle, making circular motions as you go.

Brushing at an angle helps the brush reach the section of the tooth hidden under the wire. It also removes any food stuck under the equipment.

Switching to a toothbrush with soft bristles will help the bristles bend to the right angle. Softer bristles are better for your gums too.

You also need to try focusing on each bracket for a minimum of 30 seconds. This includes going over and around the bracket on your tooth. Wiggle the brush when brushing over the bracket to ensure the equipment stays clean.

When you finish your first row, repeat your actions on the remaining row of teeth.

Step 2. Brush the Inner Side of Your Teeth

Once the front side of your teeth is clean, move on to the backside of your smile. Open your mouth and put your brush on the inner part of your teeth. This is the part of your teeth that your tongue rests against.

Since the back of your teeth isn’t covered with braces, you won’t have to change your brushing technique. Just run the brush along the back of your teeth while making circular motions.

When you finish with one row, move on to the last.

Step 3. Brush the Crowns

Lastly, you will need to brush the crown of your teeth. This is the side of your teeth that touches when you bite down. Open your mouth and run your toothbrush over the crown of each tooth.

Move your brush back and forth in a circular motion. Spend roughly 15 seconds brushing each crown to ensure each point is cleaned.

When you finish brushing the crown of your teeth, rinse your mouth with mouthwash. After a minute of rinsing, you’re done!

Remember to brush at least twice a day or after each meal to keep your braces clean.

Use the Right Toothpaste

Braces brackets enhance grime and tooth sensitivity. This is why finding the right toothpaste is a vital part of braces care.

Before choosing your toothpaste, read the ingredients list on the back.

The best toothpaste for cleaning your braces should contain fluoride. Fluoride will help your teeth maintain their strength and protect your enamel while housing braces.

The ingredients list will also help you detect any ingredients that are not good for your teeth. Continued use of bad toothpaste will damage braces brackets and impact your dental health.

More to Consider

If you’d like to go the extra mile, use toothpaste that foams. Foaming isn’t a necessity, but it will allow the toothpaste to clean underneath your braces and between your teeth.

Only use a pea-sized amount of foaming toothpaste. Too much foam can make it hard for you to see debris on your teeth.

Whitening ingredients can also enhance your braces experience by brightening up your smile.

Use a Water Pick

Flossing is an important step in all oral care routines. But it is especially important to remove grime sitting under braces wires. Unfortunately, flossing with braces is not easy.

To avoid the hassle of traditional flossing, use a water pick to keep your teeth clean. A water pick (also known as an oral irrigator) is a flossing tool that sprays water out of its head to remove particles between teeth.

The tool can fit between brackets, wires, and other areas regular floss can’t, making them more precise.

You should floss your teeth with a water pick at least once a day. But professionals recommend using the tool in the morning and at night to keep your teeth as clean as possible.

Looking For Additional Help With Your Braces?

As important as it is for you to know how to clean braces and stay on top of your oral care, you can’t do it all alone. Your orthodontist plays an important role in the success of your braces as well.

If you are looking for an orthodontist in the Detriot Metro Area to help you with your braces, consider us at TDR Orthodontics. Our practice has nearly 30 years of experience and is more than ready to help you get the smile of your dreams.

Visit our website to learn more about our practice, view our treatment options, or schedule a free exam as soon as today!