How Often Should I Brush With Braces?

When clients first get their braces, they can feel a bit overwhelmed once they begin to learn all the new techniques and dental cleaning requirements.  One of the things many people begin to worry about is how much they should brush their teeth once the braces are installed.  Here we will review the best tips and techniques for thorough and effective brushing once you have your braces on.

Regular Brushing

Like anyone, it is important to keep your teeth clean.  The reason this becomes especially important with braces because food can become stuck under the wires or embedded in the brackets which gives them even more opportunity to begin eroding your teeth.   Many dental professionals advocate brushing two or three times a day, as well as taking extra care when you do.  In addition to thorough brushings, many people find that a light brushing within five minutes of eating, even if it’s only a snack.  While this won’t take the place of a thorough and complete brushing, it will help to quickly remove food from in and around the hardware of your braces.

More Brushing Tips for People with Braces

When you do take the time to thoroughly brush your teeth, be careful of the main wire.  Use the bristles on your brush to sweep away food particles from between the wire and the surface of each tooth.  Brush along each chewing surface, outer and inner, and once you have brushed away the debris, use a gentle circular motion to clean the area again.  People without braces take about two minutes for the brushing portion of their dental care routine.  Because of the additional attention required for brushing with braces, you may find that it will take considerably longer.  Generally speaking, people with braces take up to three times as long to properly clean, floss and rinse their teeth.  But this extra time pays off.  Not only will your teeth be cleaner and less likely to fall victim to tooth decay, once the braces are removed, all your hard work will really shine through.  The time you invest now will pay off with a super bright and straight smile down the road.

There are specialized orthodontic toothbrushes that an orthodontic patient use. These toothbrushes are specifically designed to make cleaning and scrubbing so much simpler because the bristles at the middle appear longer, allowing you to gain more access in between the brackets. If you do not want to use an orthodontic toothbrush, note that the bristles at the tip of your toothbrush will suffice.