Should I Brush My Teeth With Braces On

Orthodontic braces and similar teeth straightening treatments have the potential to completely transform your smile – both for teenagers and adults in London. Braces treatment can last anywhere between 4–6 months to sometimes even 18 months. It’s vitally important to ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy over the course of your orthodontic treatment. At Whites Dental, our private orthodontists in London can provide you advice on how best to look after your teeth and gums alongside having braces treatment. We also offer a range of braces options such as Lingual braces, Damon braces, hidden braces, and Invisalign braces.

After having had braces placed on your teeth, you likely have a number of questions about how to properly take care of these braces as well as your teeth for the duration that you are supposed to wear them. Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential towards ensuring that your smile looks beautiful once the braces are taken off. In this article we will focus on answering the question: “How do I brush my teeth with braces?”

To keep your teeth clean with braces, there are various things that you’re going to want to do and foods that you should avoid. Brushing with braces is not difficult, but you may need to replace your toothbrush more often as brackets can wear down the bristles. Be gentle, take care, and avoid too much pressure.

You should try to avoid sticky foods when wearing braces as they can damage both your braces and teeth. Sugar should be limited to avoid negative effects on oral health. Avoid fizzy drinks as well, as the acid within can wear down your enamel. Foods to limit include popcorn, caramel, chips, and chewing gum.

How to maintain good dental hygiene with braces

Before you brush, rinse with water to help loosen food lodged in and around the braces. Start by brushing at the gum line at a 45-degree angle. Then brush the tops of the brackets by angling downward, and finish by brushing below the bracket by angling upward. Take your time. Brush every tooth thoroughly, especially around brackets. Children may need help learning the proper angles.

Cleaning between teeth – Flossing

Flossing is crucial to keeping teeth healthy, even with braces. Try using floss threaders, plackers, or a water flosser to make the job easier. These tools are quicker and easier than traditional floss and available at most stores.

Watch what you eat – Avoid hard, chewy, or sugary foods such as apples, taffy, caramel, corn on the cob, hard pretzels, popcorn, nuts, and bagels. Don’t chew ice or gum. Sugary snacks and soda promote plaque and gingivitis.

Dental visits every six months

When your braces are shiny and clean (and you can see the bracket edges), you’ve done a good job. Brush and floss at least twice a day, or more if you’ve consumed a lot of sugar. Visit your dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This ensures areas needing more care are identified and you stay on track with your oral hygiene.

If you are considering using fixed orthodontic braces to straighten your teeth, why not call our friendly reception staff to book a free consultation? You’ll be able to discuss your needs and find the best braces treatment option for you.

At Whites Dental, we have some of London’s leading dentists offering orthodontic braces (such as fixed braces, Invisalign, Damon braces, Fastbraces, Six Month Smiles, Lingual braces and metal braces) to patients across Central London. We are based in London Waterloo, right next to Southwark tube station. We’re also a short 10-minute walk from Borough, London Bridge, and Elephant and Castle.