How to brush your teeth and floss if you have braces

Why braces make oral hygiene more challenging

Braces introduce additional surfaces into your mouth. Brackets, wires and bands can all trap food particles that would otherwise be easier to remove.

When these areas aren't cleaned thoroughly:

• Plaque can build up around brackets.

• Food particles can remain trapped between teeth.

• Gums may become irritated or bleed. 

• Bad breath can develop.

• The risk of tooth decay can increase.

The spaces between teeth and along the gumline are already among the hardest areas to clean. With braces, they require even more attention. 

Braces: the best way to brush your teeth

If you have braces, a systematic brushing technique can help you clean effectively around brackets, wires and the gumline. One widely recommended approach is the modified Bass technique, which focuses on removing plaque from the areas where it most commonly accumulates, including along the gumline. When adapting this technique for braces, it's important to pay extra attention to the areas around each bracket and wire.

Orthodontic care notice: every orthodontic treatment plan is unique. If you wear braces or other orthodontic appliances, you should always follow the specific instructions provided by your dentist or orthodontist regarding brushing, interdental cleaning, flossing, oral hygiene products, and appliance care. Their recommendations may differ from the general guidance presented in this article and your dentist’s advice should be followed at all times. 

Before you start

Before you start brushing, rinse your mouth with water, as this can help loosen food particles that may be lodged in and around your braces.

Step 1: position the toothbrush at the gumline

Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gumline, so the bristles contact both the tooth surface and the edge of the gums. Using gentle back-and-forth movements, brush two to three teeth at a time before moving to the next section of your mouth.

Step 2: clean the outer surfaces and brackets

Working in small sections, brush the outer surfaces of your teeth first. Angle the toothbrush towards the top of each bracket and wire, using gentle back, forth and rolling movements to clean above the bracket.

Then reposition the toothbrush below the bracket and wire, angling the toothbrush upwards. Continue using gentle back, forth and rolling movements to clean beneath the bracket and around the wire, where plaque and food debris can collect. 

Step 3: clean the inside surfaces of the teeth

Maintain a 45-degree angle with the bristles contacting both the tooth surface and the gumline. Gently brush the inside surfaces of the teeth using back, forth and rolling movements, continuing to work in small sections.

For the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the toothbrush vertically and make several gentle up-and-down strokes using the front half of the brush. 

Step 4: brush the chewing surfaces

Place the bristles against the chewing surfaces of your teeth and use a gentle back-and-forth scrubbing motion to clean the grooves and crevices where food particles can collect.

Step 5: finish by cleaning your tongue

Brush your tongue from back to front to help remove bacteria and complete your oral care routine.

Consistency and technique matter more than speed

Aim to brush for around two minutes, twice a day. Make sure you clean:

• The outer surfaces of your teeth.

• The inside surfaces of your teeth.

• The chewing surfaces of your teeth.

• Above and below each bracket. 

• Along the gumline.

• Your tongue.

Consistency and technique matter more than speed. Incorrect brushing technique can result in inadequate plaque removal, which may contribute to gum disease and other oral health concerns.

How to clean between your teeth

Brushing is an essential part of oral hygiene, but it doesn't always reach every area of the mouth. In fact, brushing alone may remove only up to 60% of plaque, because the spaces between teeth are difficult for toothbrush bristles to access. That's why cleaning between your teeth is an important part of a complete oral care routine, especially when you have braces.

When choosing an interdental cleaning method, the best option is often the one that suits your oral health needs and that you can use consistently. Different tools are designed for different spaces, levels of dexterity and orthodontic requirements. 

Dental floss

Dental floss is designed for tight contacts where there is very little space between teeth. It can access areas along the gumline that may be difficult to reach with other interdental cleaning tools. However, flossing is technique-sensitive, can be time-consuming and may be more difficult for people wearing braces. 

1. Gently guide the floss beneath the orthodontic wire.

2. Move the floss between two teeth.

3. Curve the floss around one tooth in a C-shape.

4. Move the floss gently up and down against the tooth surface.

5. Repeat on the neighbouring tooth.

6. Move to the next gap and repeat. 

Interdental brushes

Interdental brushes are small brushes designed to clean between teeth. They are often recommended for open spaces between teeth and are commonly recommended for orthodontic patients because they can help clean around brackets and wires. Many designs can also be bent to improve access to harder-to-reach areas. Correct sizing is important, as a brush that is too small may leave plaque behind, while one that is too large may be uncomfortable.

1. Select a brush size that fits comfortably between your teeth.

2. Gently insert the brush between the teeth at gum level.

3. Move the brush back and forth a few times.

4. Clean each space systematically around the mouth.

5. Rinse the brush after use and replace it when it becomes worn. 

Water flossers

Water flossers use a pressurised pulsating stream of water to help flush away debris and disrupt plaque between teeth and around the gumline. They can be particularly helpful for people with braces, dental appliances or limited manual dexterity. While they require a higher initial investment than some other interdental cleaning tools, they are often considered easy to use and effective for reaching difficult areas.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions and guide the stream systematically around the teeth, gumline, brackets and wires, paying particular attention to areas where food debris tends to collect. Consistency is more important than speed.

Tips for cleaning between teeth with braces

Whichever interdental cleaning method you choose, a few simple habits can help improve your routine:

• Clean between your teeth at least once a day.

• Follow the same order each time to help build consistency.

• Don't ignore the back teeth, where plaque often accumulates and access can be more difficult. 

• If your gums bleed when you first start cleaning between your teeth, continue cleaning gently and consistently, as bleeding can be a sign that plaque is present.  

• If you're unsure which interdental cleaning tool is most appropriate for your braces, ask your dentist or orthodontist for personalised guidance. 

A daily braces cleaning routine

For many people, keeping things simple improves consistency.

A complete braces-friendly routine may look like this:

• Brush thoroughly for two minutes.

• Clean between teeth.

• Clean along the gumline.

• Check around brackets for trapped debris. 

• Use mouth rinse as part of your start of day routine. 

• Rinse after meals where possible.

• Remove visible food particles.  

• Brush carefully and methodically.

• Floss/clean between every tooth.

• Pay attention to brackets and wires.

• Clean your tongue. 

• Use mouth rinse as part of your end of day routine.

Signs your braces cleaning routine may need improving

Your mouth often tells you when areas are being missed.

Watch for:

• Bleeding gums.*

• Persistent bad breath.

• Red or swollen gums. 

• Plaque build-up around brackets.

• Food regularly trapped around braces.

• Tooth sensitivity.**

*Bleeding gums may occur when plaque accumulates along the gumline, but they can also be associated with other oral health conditions. If bleeding is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by pain, swelling, pus, or tooth mobility, consult your dentist or orthodontist. 

**Tooth sensitivity can occur for a number of reasons during orthodontic treatment and should be assessed by a dental professional if persistent or concerning.

Focus on the areas most people miss

Orthodontic treatment often changes how you think about oral care.

Many people naturally focus on the brackets they can see. But the areas that matter most are frequently the hardest to reach:

• Between teeth.

• Around brackets.

• Along the gumline. 

• The inside surfaces of the back teeth and the areas around the rear brackets and wires.

• Across the tongue.

These are also the places where plaque tends to build first. Developing a routine that consistently reaches these areas can help support good gum health, fresher breath and overall oral hygiene throughout orthodontic treatment.

Building habits that make braces easier to manage

The most effective oral care routine isn't necessarily the most complicated. It's the one you can maintain every day.

A few simple principles make a difference:

• Clean thoroughly rather than quickly.

• Don't skip cleaning between teeth.

• Pay attention to your gumline. 

• Be consistent.

• Address bleeding gums early rather than ignoring them.

• Replace worn brush heads regularly if you use an electric toothbrush, and avoid excessive pressure while brushing.

In addition to these principles, diet is a key factor that can make a difference. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, people should watch what they eat and drink. Certain textures, such as crunchy and sticky foods, are more prone to getting lodged in braces. While sugary, acidic soft drinks can damage braces.  

Small daily actions help prevent plaque from accumulating around orthodontic appliances, making life with braces easier and more comfortable.

Discover a simpler way to clean around braces

Braces make cleaning between teeth more important, but they can also make traditional flossing feel more complicated. Building brushing and between-teeth cleaning into a consistent routine can make it easier to pay attention to the spaces around brackets, wires and the gumline.

Discover the Dyson CameraJet™ electric toothbrush with flosser and the other products in the Dyson oral care system, and find a routine that works for cleaning your teeth.

Disclaimer: this content is intended for general information only and does not constitute dental, orthodontic, or medical advice. Always follow the instructions and recommendations provided by your dentist or orthodontist, which supersede any information contained in this article. If you have concerns about your oral health, seek professional advice promptly.