How Do You Brush Your Teeth With Braces On?

We find that Londoners are increasingly becoming conscious about having straight teeth – braces London are very popular as a result. As a result, more and more adults in London are coming to us to straighten their teeth, asking specifically for orthodontic braces. If you want to straighten your smile with braces, our orthodontists can help you to create a natural-looking straight smile. At Whites Dental, our dentists offer services of a full range of orthodontics in London, including Ceramic braces, Invisalign braces, fixed braces, Damon clear braces and lingual braces. You can book a free appointment to discuss any orthodontics related questions you may have.

Millions of people across the world use orthodontic braces to align or straighten their teeth or help with other dental problems such as gaps, underbite, or overbite. However, you can be left with stains, cavities or infected gum tissue, if proper brushing techniques are not followed. Dental braces make brushing difficult because food particles and plaque can adhere to the brackets and teeth and must be removed regularly. In this article, we will discuss how to brush teeth properly if you are wearing braces.

Choose your toothbrush

Though a regular toothbrush will work, you might consider an electric or sonic toothbrush designed for cleaning around braces, and make sure you are using the right amount of pressure, allowing the head to rotate completely. This will provide a more effective cleaning and save you time. If you decide to use a regular toothbrush, you will have to ensure that you brush your teeth with the toothbrush bristles angled upwards and also downwards in order to get a good clean over your orthodontic braces.

Before starting to brush your teeth – rinse your mouth. It can be helpful to swish some water around in your mouth to dislodge some of the loose food particles. Warm water can soothe teeth and soften bristles when you have the bands on your braces changed. Brush at a 45-degree angle along the gum line, then above and below the brackets. Be thorough and slow — each tooth deserves attention.

Focus on other areas of your mouth too

Your mouth is full of germs and plaque that feed gingivitis. You also need to brush and massage your gums, cheeks and tongue.

• Brush vertically along the gums.
• Brush along the inside of your cheeks and lips.
• Clean the floor of your mouth and under the tongue.
• Finish with a firm but gentle brushing of your tongue and rinse well.

Cleaning Between Teeth

Flossing is crucial for teeth health. It may be more challenging with braces, but tools like floss threaders, plackers, or water flossers can help. After brushing and flossing, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash to prevent plaque and cavities.

Watch what you eat

The best way to protect your teeth is to avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods that can damage your braces. These include toffee, corn on the cob, hard rolls, nuts, raw carrots, apples, and bagels.

Don’t chew on ice or bubble gum

Cut back or eliminate sugary foods and fizzy drinks. Sugar feeds the bacteria that cause plaque and gingivitis.

Eat a well-balanced diet

A healthy diet rich in fibre, good fats, and protein supports oral health. Include fruits and vegetables like leafy greens, bananas, squash, and berries.

Clean your teeth after every meal

It may feel tedious, but it’s vital. Gingivitis can form in just 48 hours. Not brushing can also leave stains behind when your braces are removed.

Dental visits every six months

See your London dentist every six months for professional cleaning and a check-up. They can catch plaque build-up or signs of early decay before they become serious issues.

If you need additional reference information on fixed or ceramic braces, you can visit our orthodontics page here — or for London Braces Costs and to arrange virtual consultations we can reply via any of the chat/email or phone methods provided.

Whites Dental has some of the leading orthodontic dentists in Central London, providing Fixed braces, Damon braces, Lingual braces, Fastbraces, and Invisalign clear braces to patients near us in London Bridge, Central London, Southwark, Blackfriars, Elephant and Castle, Notting Hill, Edgware Road, Marble Arch, Paddington and London Waterloo. Our webpage provides information on how to find a good orthodontist in London.