How to Clean Your Braces

Medically reviewed by Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE

Last Updated: July 16, 2021 References

It’s very important that people with braces maintain excellent dental hygiene. Braces can attract food and plaque, which can cause problems if you don’t brush your teeth and wash debris away. Whether you have fixed braces, or you wear a retainer, it’s important that you know how to keep your braces and teeth clean.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Practicing Daily Maintenance

1
Brush regularly. If you wear braces it’s essential that you maintain excellent oral hygiene habits. It can be a bit tricky to brush your teeth with braces, but with some practice you will soon get used to it. You should brush for at least two minutes, two or three times a day. With braces it’s advisable to brush after every meal if possible.
- Brush with a fluoride toothpaste or with an anti-sensitivity toothpaste that also protects your enamel.
- Braces can increase the chances of getting bits of food stuck in your teeth and around your braces.
- A quick brush after eating can deal with this.
- Try to carry a travel toothbrush with you, but if you get caught out, you can rinse your mouth out with water to dislodge bits of food.
- Swoosh the water well in your mouth and then spit it out.^{[1]
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2
Use a small soft brush. When you brush you should use a soft bristle toothbrush, which has a head small enough to enable you to get to all of your teeth. You should be able to use an electric toothbrush, but you will have to take extra care when you do this. Speak to your orthodontist if you’re struggling to clean your teeth with your brace. The orthodontist will be able to recommend special smaller headed toothbrushes that make it easier.^{[2]
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- Place the brush at a 45 degree angle, where your gums meets your teeth.
- Use a vertical, circular scrub motion and remember to clean all the surfaces of your teeth.
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3
Use an interdental brush. Your orthodontist may recommend you supplement your regular toothbrush with a special interdental brush. These are essentially mini-toothbrushes, which are designed specifically to get into hard to reach places in your mouth. They are excellent for people with braces, as they can get under the wire and between the wire and the tooth.^{[3]
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- You can also use oral irrigators (sometimes called water picks) to help you clean around your braces. Oral irrigators are great for people with braces because they also massage your gums, which can help to prevent gingivitis.
- These devices spray out a pressurized stream of water mixed with mouthwash that can dislodge food from around brace wires and bands.
- Remember that these devices should be used in addition to, not instead of, brushing and flossing.
4
Floss daily. It is still important to floss every day if you have braces. Floss before you brush your teeth at least once a day. You might find it easier to do this in the evening before you go to bed as you will probably have more time than in the morning. Flossing can be tricky with a brace, but you can do it if you thread the floss carefully.
- If you are struggling to floss around your braces you may find that using a “floss threader” helps.
- These devices act like the eye of a needle, which you can thread the floss through before pushing it under the wire.
5
Use a fluoride mouthwash. You should use an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash once a day to help you keep your teeth and your braces clean and in a good condition. You will be able to find a suitable mouthwash in your local drug store or pharmacy.
- Use the mouthwash at a different time of day to when you brush your teeth to help maintain the fluoride protection of your teeth for longer.
- Try to avoid eating or rinsing your mouth for twenty minutes after using the mouthwash.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Keeping Your Braces in Good Shape

1
Recognize the foods that should be avoided. If you are wearing braces, it’s a good idea to get to know the types of foods which can cause you problems. Some foods might damage your braces and others could get stuck and be difficult to clean off. Hard foods may damage your braces by bending the wires and potentially snapping off brackets.^{[5]
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- Try to avoid hard foods, such as nuts, hard pretzels, popcorn, chips, hard pizza crust, corn on the cob, apples and carrots that haven’t been chopped up first, and always avoid eating ice.
- Sticky foods can also cause problems. Avoid chewy and sticky candies, caramel, chocolate, biscuits, peanut brittle, candy apples and licorice.
- Avoid chewing gum as this can also get stuck around the wires and brackets.
2
Clean off stubborn and sticky things. You should try to avoid sticky and sugary foods, and things that could easily get stuck in your braces, but if you do eat them you will have to spend some time cleaning your braces thoroughly. There is no magic bullet for cleaning things like caramel or gum. You will have to carefully brush, and use any other tools you have. Interdental brushes and floss are the main tools that you should use to supplement brushing.
- Carefully clean around the braces to dislodge food that is stuck in your braces.
- Don’t get frustrated and be too forceful or you might damage the braces.
- If you do eat sticky or sugary foods without thinking, act quickly to clean your braces.
- If you don’t thoroughly clean off foods that get stuck around your braces, you could develop cavities and other tooth problems, such as gum problems, gingivitis, and tooth sensitivity.
3
Clean stains from clear braces. If you have opted for clear braces, such as Invisalign aligners, you will find that they are susceptible to staining just like your teeth are. Keeping your teeth clean is absolutely essential for those with aligners, as any bacteria will be trapped and pressed up against your teeth by the braces. Be sure to brush after every meal and floss at least once a day. If you do find your clear braces have become stained, you can clean them.
- You can use a specialist cleansing solution, which you will soak your clear braces in to tackle any stains.
- Consider trying an effervescent denture cleaning product.
- You can also use cool water and a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub gently at the braces. For a better antibacterial effect, you can even add some chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash.
- Set aside a toothbrush that you will use just for cleaning your braces.^{[6]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cleaning Your Retainer

1
Clean your retainer when you clean your teeth. You should be brushing your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day. To keep your retainer clean and in good shape get into to the habit of cleaning it quickly every time that you brush your teeth. Don’t forget to take out your retainer before you brush.
- Once you have brushed your teeth, clean your retainer with cold water and a toothbrush.^{[7]
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- You can clean it over the sink, but be careful not to drop it in.
2
Regularly disinfect your retainer. You should regularly disinfect your retainer with a solution of a special denture cleaner mixed into a cup of warm water. You should use warm water, but never hot water as this could damage your retainer. You can buy retainer or denture cleansers in your local pharmacy or drug store. If you are uncertain ask the pharmacist.
- Be sure to follow the instructions on the packet.
- Soak your retainer in the solution at least once a week, and preferably once a day.
- Some retainers come with their own cleaning product that is recommended.^{[8]
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  Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
  Licensed Dentist
  
  Expert Interview. 11 May 2021.}
- You can get into the habit of soaking it in the solution when you go to bed.
- Be sure you rinse your retainer thoroughly with cool water before putting it back into your mouth.^{[9]
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- Try to get in the habit or rinsing your retainer under water whenever you take it out to help keep it clean.^{[10]
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  Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
  Licensed Dentist
  
  Expert Interview. 11 May 2021.}
3
Keep it in a protective box. If you have reason to remove your retainer during the day, such as when playing sport, ensure that you store it in the special protective case your orthodontist gave you. Take it out carefully and place it in the box to keep it in good condition. Don’t click it in and out of your mouth with your tongue and teeth, as this could damage it.^{[11]
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- You should rinse out the box regularly, and disinfect it occasionally.
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I make my teeth look whiter?

Cristian Macau, DDS
Doctor of Dental Surgery
Dr. Macau is a Doctor of Dental Surgery based in London, England. Dr. Macau is an oral surgeon, periodontist, and aesthetician at Favero Dental Clinic where he is known for his cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics work. He is actively involved in scientific research in the field of dentistry and he received his DDS from Carol Davila University of Medicine in 2015.

Cristian Macau, DDS

Doctor of Dental Surgery

Expert Answer

When you have clear braces or retainers, you can whiten your teeth through a teeth whitening session, which may be done at home or at your dentist. Those who have braces attached to their teeth can use baking soda or whitening toothpaste to keep a shiny look of the enamel and also a whiter appearance of their smile. A complete whitening treatment can be done after the braces are removed.

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