Brushing and Flossing with Braces
Step-by-step oral hygiene techniques from board-certified Dr. Myers in Sacramento and Fair Oaks, CA
Brushing and flossing are harder with braces, but they’re also more important. Food particles and plaque hide under wires and around brackets where cavities start. Skipping proper cleaning can set back your treatment, lead to permanent staining under bracket bases, or result in gum disease. Board-certified orthodontist Dr. Christopher Myers at New Element Orthodontics in Sacramento and Fair Oaks, CA recommends these proven techniques to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout treatment.
Brushing with braces
Brush for two full minutes after every meal or snack, using a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head and fluoride toothpaste. (A powered toothbrush can improve cleaning if you find a manual brush difficult.) Here’s the technique:
The brushing method
- Angle the brush: Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line. This angle is key — it removes plaque at the gum margin, not just on the surface.
- Brush the outer surfaces: Use small, gentle, circular motions on the outer (cheek-facing) side of all teeth. Don’t scrub hard; let the bristles do the work.
- Brush the inner surfaces: Repeat the same circular motions on the inner (tongue-facing) side of each tooth.
- Brush the chewing surfaces: Switch to short, back-and-forth motions across the tops of your teeth.
- Around the brackets: Spend extra time above, below, and to the sides of each bracket where plaque loves to hide.
The whole process should take about two minutes. If your gums bleed slightly when you start, that usually means plaque buildup — keep brushing gently and the bleeding should stop within a week.
Flossing with braces
Flossing with braces takes more time, but it’s non-negotiable. Food particles trapped under the wire decay quickly. Floss at least once daily, ideally after meals.
The flossing method
- Thread the floss: Use a floss threader (a small plastic needle-like tool) to guide your floss under the wire. Slide the threader under the wire, pull the floss through, then remove the threader.
- Wrap for control: Wrap the ends of the floss around your pointer fingers, leaving a few inches of taut floss between them. This gives you leverage and control.
- Slide between teeth: Gently work the floss down between each pair of teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Angle it so it reaches the side of one tooth, then slides under to the other side.
- Clean below the gum line: Once the floss is between the teeth, slide it down along the side of each tooth beneath the gum line. This is where plaque hides.
- Repeat for every gap: Work your way around the entire mouth.
The whole process typically takes 5–10 minutes. If regular floss is tedious or your floss keeps breaking, ask us about a water flosser — it’s effective with braces and often faster.
Extra tips for a healthy smile
- Fluoride matters: Brush with fluoride toothpaste and rinse with an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash daily. Fluoride strengthens enamel and prevents cavities.
- Avoid sticky and sugary foods between meals. These feed cavity-causing bacteria and are harder to clean out from around braces.
- Keep your regular dental visits. In addition to your orthodontic checkups with Dr. Myers, continue seeing your general dentist for professional cleanings twice a year.
- Watch for gum bleeding. Slight bleeding when you floss is normal as your gums adjust, but persistent bleeding should be mentioned at your next visit.
Common Questions About Brushing and Flossing with Braces
My gums bleed when I floss. Should I stop?
No — that usually signals plaque buildup. Continue flossing gently, and the bleeding typically stops within a few days to a week as your gums heal and the plaque clears. If bleeding persists after two weeks despite daily flossing, mention it to Dr. Myers — it may signal early gum disease or improper flossing angle.
My floss keeps breaking or shredding around the brackets.
Floss breaking is frustrating but normal. Make sure you’re not pulling the floss horizontally in a see-saw motion — slide it gently up and down along the sides of teeth instead. If shredding continues, try waxed floss (it’s more durable) or ask us about a water flosser, which many patients find easier with braces.
How much time should brushing and flossing take?
Budget about 7–12 minutes total: two minutes for brushing plus 5–10 for flossing, depending on how many teeth you have and how methodical you are. It sounds like a lot, but it’s the difference between a healthy smile at the end of treatment and permanent damage that no retainer can fix.
Do I need special toothbrushes or floss?
You can use regular soft-bristled toothbrushes, but an electric toothbrush is easier for many patients. For flossing, a floss threader (usually free at our office) is essential — regular floss can’t go under the wire without it. Waxed floss is more durable than unwaxed. We have samples of products we recommend; just ask.
Keep your teeth healthy throughout treatment
Questions about your brushing or flossing routine? Dr. Myers and our team can show you the right techniques and recommend products that work best with your braces.
Sacramento
Fair Oaks
Wearing Braces
