Home care for braces
Wearing braces can make dental care slightly more complicated. To prevent gum disease and cavities, you need to clean both your teeth and braces properly. Cleaning with a regular toothbrush is not enough – you often need additional cleaning products . Your dentist/orthodontic assistant can guide you to suitable products for orthodontic care and show you how to use them. If you have removable braces, make sure to brush them too, using a toothbrush and water.
How to clean your braces
- Start by rinsing your mouth with water, to loosen food debris that has been trapped around the wire.
- Then clean the teeth and braces with a toothbrush using small circular motions. Don’t forget to angle the brush towards the gum line.
- Finish by brushing the inside and chewing surfaces.
To get a good result, you will need to clean where the toothbrush cannot reach. A small toothbrush with a round head is useful for cleaning around the brackets and gum line. An interdental brush will help clean under the wire and between the teeth.
If you have removable braces, make sure to brush them daily, using a toothbrush and water.
Four tips to keep your mouth healthy during orthodontic treatment
- Brush with fluoride toothpaste
- Use interdental devices
- Clean your teeth and braces after each meal
- Use a fluoride rinse to minimize the risk of tooth decay
Help your child deal with braces
Getting used to braces can be a struggle. Initial discomfort and pain is common, and the new look can take a while to accept. Here is some advice to help your child adjust:
- Discuss the benefits of treatment with your child
- Help with the cleaning of the braces
- Stock up with orthodontic wax
- Serve soft food to start
- Prepare a travel case with special brushes for your child to bring to school
Information material
Read more in our patient guide Caring for your braces.
