Brushing With Braces Made Easy in Canada
Braces make cleaning trickier, but a few simple habits protect your smile while your teeth move into place. With the right tools, technique, and a steady routine, you can prevent plaque, white spots, cavities, gum irritation, and stains.
What is the best way to brush with braces?
Use a soft or orthodontic toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste. Brush for two minutes at a 45-degree angle to gums and brackets, cleaning above and below the wire. Add interdental brushes and daily flossing (threader or water flosser), rinse with fluoride, and brush after meals.
Why your routine matters during orthodontic treatment
Brackets and wires trap food and plaque (a sticky film of bacteria). Without careful cleaning, these areas can develop white spots (early enamel damage), cavities, and sore gums. Good home care and regular checkups keep treatment on track and your mouth healthy.
Daily routine that really works
Morning
• Brush two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
• Aim bristles at a 45-degree angle to the gum line and around each bracket.
• Quick sweep with an interdental brush around brackets and under the wire.
After lunch or snacks
• Rinse well with water to loosen debris.
• If you can, brush for one minute focusing on brackets and wires.
• No sink? Swish water and use an interdental brush; brush properly later.
Night
• Brush two minutes: fronts, backs, chewing surfaces.
• Clean between teeth with floss and a threader or a water flosser (a device that cleans with a thin jet of water).
• Finish with an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash to protect enamel overnight.
Tools that make cleaning around braces easier
• Orthodontic or soft-bristled toothbrush: A V-trim or small soft head reaches around brackets.
• Electric toothbrush: Timers and pressure sensors help avoid scrubbing too hard.
• Interdental brushes: Small cone brushes for edges of brackets and under wires.
• Floss threaders or super floss: Makes string flossing possible around wires.
• Water flosser: Helpful for tender gums and deep gumline cleaning.
• Fluoride toothpaste and alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash: Daily enamel protection.
Want a step-by-step braces care plan? See how to care for braces properly for a simple checklist and pro tips.
Step-by-step brushing technique for brackets and wires
1) Rinse and spot the trouble areas
Rinse with water to loosen debris. Look closely at molars, hooks, and power chains (linked elastic ties) where food often sticks.
2) Brush the gum line first
Hold the brush at 45 degrees toward the gums. Use small circles along the gum line. This is where gum irritation usually starts.
3) Clean above and below the wire
Tilt bristles above the wire and then below it. Short circular strokes. Spend a few seconds on each bracket.
4) Brush the rest of the tooth
Fronts, backs, and chewing surfaces. Move tooth-by-tooth for a full two minutes (about 30 seconds per quadrant).
5) Use an interdental brush
Gently slide it under the wire and around each bracket base. This removes hidden food a regular brush misses.
6) Finish with fluoride
Spit out toothpaste, but don’t rinse with water. Then use an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash at night for extra protection.
“Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily.” — Canadian Dental Association
How to floss with braces (fast, realistic options)
• Floss threader or super floss: Thread under the wire, wrap the floss in a C-shape around the tooth, and move gently under the gum line.
• Water flosser: Aim at the gum line and slowly trace every tooth, front and back. This is great if your gums are sensitive.
• Interdental brushes: Add them for tight spots and around bracket bases.
Fluoride products: what to use and when
Use fluoride toothpaste twice daily. Choose a gentle, low-abrasion formula. At night, swish an alcohol-free fluoride rinse to strengthen enamel around brackets. In some cases, your dentist may suggest a higher-fluoride toothpaste for extra protection.
Smart food choices to prevent damage and stains
• Avoid sticky and chewy foods (caramel, taffy, gummy candies). They pull on wires and trap sugar around brackets.
• Skip hard foods (ice, hard candy, uncut raw carrots, tough crusts). Cut crunchy foods into small, bite-size pieces.
• Limit sugary and acidic drinks (sodas, sports drinks). Acids soften enamel and can lead to white spots.
• Rinse with water after dark drinks like coffee or tea to reduce stains. If allowed, use a straw for cold beverages.
Your on-the-go braces care kit
• Travel toothbrush and mini fluoride toothpaste
• Interdental brush or two
• Pre-threaded floss or a floss threader
• Orthodontic wax (to cover a poking wire)
• A small bottle of alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash
• Optional: a compact cordless water flosser
Dental checkups and orthodontic visits
Keep your routine cleanings every six months (or more often if advised). Hygienists remove tartar (hardened plaque) and polish away stains. Don’t miss orthodontic adjustments. Most people visit every 4–8 weeks to keep teeth moving as planned.
Curious how cleanings change once you have brackets and wires? Here’s what’s different at dental checkups with braces.
Common mistakes to avoid
• Brushing too hard: This can irritate gums and wear enamel.
• Skipping floss: Plaque builds quickly between teeth with braces.
• Not brushing after meals: Food left under brackets turns into plaque fast.
• Ignoring sore spots: Use orthodontic wax and call your orthodontist if something rubs or pokes.
• Rinsing away toothpaste: Spit; don’t rinse with water. Let fluoride sit longer.
White spots and staining: how to stop them early
White spots are early signs of enamel damage. You can reduce the risk with careful daily cleaning around brackets, using fluoride products, and limiting sugar and acid. If a dentist flags early spots, stronger fluoride and better brushing can help.
If a bracket or wire loosens while brushing
Stop brushing that spot and switch to very gentle strokes nearby. Cover any sharp end with orthodontic wax. Call your orthodontist for a repair. Keep the area clean with an interdental brush and gentle rinsing until the visit.
Life after braces: keep your results
Retainers hold your new smile in place while gums and bone settle. Keep your cleaning habits strong: brush two minutes with fluoride, clean between teeth daily, and keep regular checkups.
Still comparing treatment types? Read about modern alternatives to traditional braces and how cleaning differs with each option.
Conclusion
Brushing with braces doesn’t need to be complicated. Use a soft or orthodontic brush at a 45-degree angle, add interdental brushes and daily flossing, and finish with fluoride. Choose braces-friendly foods, carry a small travel kit, and keep your dental and orthodontic visits. These small steps prevent plaque, cavities, gum disease, and stains—so your smile looks its best when the braces come off.
FAQ
How many times a day should I brush with braces?
At least twice daily, and ideally after every meal or snack. If you can’t brush, rinse with water and use an interdental brush. Then brush properly as soon as you can.
Are electric toothbrushes better for braces?
Both manual and electric brushes work if used correctly. Many people find electric models easier because of built-in timers and pressure sensors that help avoid harsh scrubbing around brackets.
Do I really need a fluoride mouthwash at night?
It helps a lot during orthodontic treatment. An alcohol-free fluoride rinse strengthens enamel around brackets and lowers the risk of white spots and cavities.
Is a water flosser enough, or do I still need string floss?
A water flosser is a great add-on with braces. String floss with a threader still cleans the tight contact points best. Using either one well, every day, is what matters most.
Which foods are most likely to damage braces?
Sticky candies, hard nuts or ice, and tough crusts can bend wires or pop brackets. Cut crunchy foods into small pieces and chew slowly to protect your hardware.
How do I prevent white spots around brackets?
Brush two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, clean above and below the wire, use interdental brushes, floss daily, and finish with a nightly fluoride rinse. Limit sugary and acidic drinks and keep your professional cleanings.
