In short: With braces you need to clean more carefully, because food and plaque get trapped around the brackets and wires. Brush after every meal with a soft or orthodontic brush, clean between the teeth and under the wires daily with interdental brushes or a floss threader, and keep up regular dental visits. Good cleaning prevents decay and white marks.
Braces make cleaning trickier, because the brackets and wires create lots of little spots where food and plaque collect. Keeping on top of it matters — poor cleaning during braces can leave permanent white marks (decalcification), cavities and swollen gums. The good news is it’s very doable with the right routine:
- Brush after every meal. Use a soft-bristled or special orthodontic brush, and angle it to clean above and below the brackets as well as the gumline. Take your time — about two minutes.
- Clean between the teeth daily. This is the step people skip because floss is fiddly around wires. Use interdental brushes (little bottle-brush-shaped brushes) to get under the wire and between brackets, or a floss threader / orthodontic floss, or a water flosser, which is excellent for braces.
- Use fluoride toothpaste, and a fluoride mouthwash can give extra protection.
- Watch what you eat. Avoid hard, sticky and very sugary foods that damage braces or feed decay — cut hard fruits and veg into small pieces.
- Keep up your dental check-ups and cleanings during treatment.
A little extra effort each day keeps your teeth healthy and white so that when the braces come off, you get a great smile — not one dotted with white marks.
If you’re starting treatment, we’ll show you exactly how to clean around your braces — book a consultation to begin.