Braces Care 101

How to Keep Your Smile Sparkling and Your Treatment on Track

At Arch Dentistry, we believe that good oral hygiene is essential for successful orthodontic treatment. Keeping your braces clean doesn’t just make your journey more comfortable—it can significantly accelerate your progress and reduce the risk of complications along the way.

Now that you’re wearing braces, there are a few important changes happening in your mouth. Understanding them will help you take better care of your teeth and gums throughout treatment.

What’s New with Braces?

More Surfaces to Clean
Braces introduce new surfaces and spaces where food particles and plaque can accumulate—especially around the brackets and wires. This means your daily cleaning routine needs to be more thorough and intentional.
Sensitivity is Normal
As your teeth begin to shift, it’s common to experience some sensitivity. This usually settles after a few days, but during this period, you may need to adjust your diet and cleaning technique. Soft or liquid foods and gentle brushing are your best allies during this time.
Gum Health Matters
Braces can put additional stress on your gums. Healthy gums are essential for efficient tooth movement and a successful outcome. That’s why brushing techniques that clean and stimulate the gums are key.

Here’s how you can keep your braces—and your smile—clean, healthy, and on schedule.

Tip 1: Brush Like a Pro

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a high-quality electric toothbrush along with fluoride toothpaste. Brush three times a day—after breakfast, after lunch, and after dinner.

Why it matters: Brushing effectively removes soft plaque before it hardens and binds your wires to the brackets. When plaque causes friction, tooth movement slows down—prolonging your treatment.

Step-by-step:

Step 1: Clean each surface of every tooth—above, below, and around each bracket. Move slowly, using small circular motions.

Step 2: Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line. Half the brush head should rest on the gums, the other half on the teeth. Be gentle and consistent.

Step 3: Brush upper teeth in a downward motion and lower teeth in an upward motion. For harder-to-reach areas, use a smaller precision brush.

Step 4: Don’t forget your tongue and the roof of your mouth. A clean mouth is a healthy mouth.

Tip 2: Floss Like a Boss

Flossing may feel tricky at first, but it’s vital in preventing plaque build-up and gum inflammation. With a little practice, it becomes second nature.

Use a water flosser, floss threader or orthodontic floss to make the process easier. Daily flossing—especially before bed—is ideal.

How to floss with braces:

Step 1: Cut about 30cm of floss and use a threader to guide it under the archwire.

Step 2: Gently slide the floss between your teeth and curve it around each tooth surface. Glide up and down carefully.

Step 3: Remove the floss sideways—never pull it straight up to avoid dislodging brackets.

If your gums bleed slightly at first, don’t worry—it’s normal. With consistent care, this will improve within a couple of weeks.

Tip 3: Clean Between with Interdental Brushes

Regular toothbrushes can’t reach every area—especially the interdental spaces between your teeth, which may change as your teeth shift. These tight areas can trap food and become hotspots for decay if not cleaned properly.

Interdental brushes are small tools designed to clean between your teeth and around your braces.

How to use them:

Step 1: Your dentist or hygienist will measure your interdental spaces and recommend the correct size brush to use.

Step 2: Gently insert the brush into each space near the gum line and move it in and out once. That’s all it takes. Clean all your interdental spaces—this should take less than 2 minutes.

Final Thoughts

Caring for your braces is an important part of your orthodontic journey. A few extra minutes each day can make all the difference in achieving a beautiful, healthy smile—faster and with fewer complications.

At Arch Dentistry, we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you have questions about your cleaning routine or need help selecting the right tools, our team is always happy to assist.