How to brush your teeth when you have braces
When you get braces for the first time, it’s understandable that you might be uncertain as to how to brush your teeth. Isn’t all that metal in the way?
These are some of the most common questions we get asked, to give you all the tips you need on how to brush your teeth while you have braces on.
Can I brush normally with braces?
Yes and no. Yes you can still brush regularly, but no – it will be a bit different while you have braces on.
For starters, it’s going to likely take longer. Generally a person should brush their teeth for two minutes at a time, but with braces it’s more complicated to clean your mouth and so it could take as much as three times longer. See our tips below to get a better idea as to why.
Second, it is recommended that you brush your teeth after every meal when you have braces. This is because food can get lodged into the various brackets, wires and hooks, and you need to clean it out. You’ll also still need to brush your teeth immediately before going to bed, so you could leave brushing after your evening meal until bedtime.
Note: Don’t brush your teeth right after eating a meal. Wait for around half an hour then give them a brush. This is so that, if your meal softens your enamel, it has time to recover before you brush.
Should I brush on the first day of having braces?
Yes.
Your teeth will likely feel uncomfortable and tender, perhaps even sore, on the day you receive your braces. Despite that, it’s still important to maintain good oral hygiene practices and that means brushing.
That said, no one will begrudge you if you’re a bit gentle on that first day…
Can brushing break my braces?
Generally no, brushing your teeth won’t break your braces. In fact you can even use an electric toothbrush if that’s your preference.
Some brushes are better for braces than others – a soft bristled brush is best, and a soft electric brush even better. If you don’t like the sensation of an electric toothbrush, that’s OK! You may find a child’s brush effective at getting into all the nooks and crannies.
If you’d like advice for your unique mouth, talk to your dentist when you get your braces about what toothbrush they recommend for you.
6 tips for brushing with braces
1. Remove all the removable bits
If you have braces with elastic bands or other removable components, you must take them out before you brush. You can check them all separately, and clean them if need be.
You should also remove these components before you eat.
2. Rinse thoroughly before you start
Before you begin brushing, give your mouth a good swish with water to dislodge any food that might be stuck either between teeth or in your brackets and wires.
3. Don’t use a whitening toothpaste
Some people find that when they use a whitening toothpaste, they get uneven white stains around the brackets on their teeth.
Brackets can make it harder for the toothpaste to do its whitening job because, well, they get in the way! There may also be residual cement stuck to your teeth from when you got your braces – which you can’t see with the naked eye, but which will be highlighted if you whiten your teeth.
4. Brush your teeth thoroughly
Brushing while wearing braces is similar to brushing without, it’s just a little more complex to get in and around all the bits and bobs to clean every surface.
When brushing, make sure you clean:
The fronts and backs of all of your teeth.
On the gumline, holding the brush at a 45° angle pointing towards the gums.
The chewing surfaces of your teeth.
Around the backs of your molars.
If you have a manual brush, brush using gentle, vibrating side-to-side strokes.
Learn more: “How to clean your gums and keep them healthy”
5. Clean your braces thoroughly
Next you need to clean your braces themselves.
Carefully clean the top side of all your brackets, pins and wires. Then, turn the brush the other way up and gently clean the bottom side of all of the above. This may take a bit of time when you’re not used to it.
6. Keep flossing and rinsing with mouthwash
Just as you would without braces, keep using floss regularly as this is a useful tool to disrupt the growth of bacteria and prevent gum disease.
Quick flossing tips for braces-wearers:
Use a waxed floss, as it will be less likely to shred and get caught on your braces than an unwaxed floss.
Consider using a floss threader to help you get into all the gaps.
You could also look at using a water flosser while you have braces. These may be known as water flossers, water picks or water irrigators.
Be careful when flossing, trying not to snap the floss.
Depending on the size of the gaps between your teeth, you may also consider using an interdental brush to better scrub between your teeth. Additionally, interdental brushes are quite useful for getting into the different nooks of braces themselves, such as between the wire and your teeth.
And don’t forget to still get checked regularly
It’s vitally important for your oral health that you continue to get a regular dental check up.
Your dentist can help monitor the condition of your braces, as well as give your teeth a good cleaning with professional tools that you can’t get at home.
To book an appointment with us here at Kowhai Dental, pop in to see us on Maunu Road, Whangārei, call us on 09 430 0707 or book your appointment online.