Brushing Your Teeth With Braces

So, you’ve got braces? Or are you considering having them for that perfectly straightened smile? Wherever you are in your braces journey, we can help. Our team of orthodontists here at Loughborough Orthodontics are absolute experts in your teeth and can help give you fantastic results for a smile you’ll love to share. Today, let’s talk about how you care for your braces – and your teeth.

Brushing and flossing

If your braces are removable, great – you can take them out and clean your teeth as you would normally. If they’re fixed in any way, it can seem a little more tricky. You can pop off the elastic temporarily to get into all those nooks and crannies, and you might need a nifty interdental brush to navigate the wires and brackets. With fixed braces, our Loughborough dentists also recommend swilling mouthwash (at a different time to cleaning your teeth) for an extra fluoride fix.

Soaking your braces

Removable ones will need soaking in denture solution every couple of days or branded cleaning solutions (for example, Invisalign sell Invisalign cleaning crystals). These help to give them a more thorough clean. Be aware that you’ll still need to wear your Invisalign or other braces throughout the day, so it’s best to check with your dentist how many hours you’ll need to do this.

Rinsing your braces

Popping your braces off for a bite to eat? No problem. Give them a quick rinse under the tap in warm (not hot!) water, and brush gently with a toothbrush if you like (though don’t use any cleaning products or toothpaste, as these can damage or discolour them – especially Invisalign clear braces). Store them in their case when you’re not wearing or soaking them, and make sure you regularly clean that case, too.

Brushing after meals

Your fixed braces need brushing every time you eat a meal. First, swill water around your mouth to dislodge any food particles. Then use a wet toothbrush around the wires and brackets. Finally, use a ‘picking’ motion to apply toothpaste to the teeth. If you’re able to use floss around the fixed brace, then do – but take care not to trap the thread or pull on the wires.

And that’s all there is to it – it doesn’t have to be any more complicated than cleaning your regular smile. But, if you’d still like tips, advice or tools on how to keep your braces clean, then get in touch and our Loughborough orthodontists will be there to help.