Getting braces means you’re on your way to the smile you've always wanted, but it also means your toothbrush just got a much harder job. Every bracket, wire, and rubber band creates a new hiding spot for food, which leads to plaque. In fact, research finds that nearly 37% of braces patients have above-average plaque levels on over half their teeth. Fortunately, the right brushing habits are all you need to ensure you have a bright smile the day your braces come off. 

Read on to get orthodontist-approved tips for brushing with braces, including what type of toothbrush to use, how to change your brushing technique, and where to find the best orthodontist in West LA for adults and teens.

Manual vs. Electric: Choosing the Best Toothbrush for Braces

Not every toothbrush is built for the job that traditional metal braces demand. With brackets, wires, and bands getting in the way, you need a toothbrush that can reach tight spaces. Here is what the best orthodontist in Los Angeles recommends:

  • Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush because hard or medium bristles can scratch enamel and irritate already-sensitive gum tissue. Look for a brush with a compact head and angled or V-shaped bristles that can navigate around brackets from multiple directions.
  • Electric brushes have a real advantage with braces. They promote better oral hygiene for patients with traditional braces thanks to their consistent power, built-in two-minute timers, and pressure sensors. These features are especially useful when you are tired, in a hurry, or still getting used to brushing around hardware. 
  • Replace your toothbrush more often than you normally would because the metal brackets and wires wear down bristles faster than normal use. A good rule of thumb: replace your manual toothbrush or electric brush head every two to three months during orthodontic treatment, or sooner if bristles look frayed or flattened. 

How to Brush Your Teeth When You Have Braces 

Brushing with braces doesn’t mean brushing longer or harder; it means adjusting your technique slightly so you reach the right spots. The orthodontist-recommended Charters Method of brushing gives you the best coverage:

  • Swish water around your mouth for about 30 seconds to loosen any food trapped around your brackets. Then angle your brush at a 45-degree angle toward your gumline. From there, tilt the brush downward to clean above each bracket and then upward to clean below it. Use small, gentle circular strokes while holding the brush as lightly as you would a pen. 
  • Clean all surfaces of every tooth by concentrating on four zones, upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right, for 30 seconds per zone. After your regular toothbrush, use a small interdental brush to sweep out the spaces under your archwires and around the bands, where a standard brush cannot reach.
  • Brushing with braces takes longer than brushing without them, especially when you are just learning the technique. Set a timer on your phone or use an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer to make sure you are reaching the two-minute minimum. 

How Often to Brush When You Have Braces

Brushing twice a day was enough before braces, but that changes during orthodontic treatment. During treatment, you need to brush after every meal and snack, and before bed. Brushing less than that allows plaque to accumulate around brackets, where it produces the acids that cause tooth decay and decalcification that can leave behind white spots on the enamel that appear once your braces are removed. 

Keeping a travel kit can make brushing on the go easier. A small zip pouch with a travel toothbrush, a mini tube of fluoride toothpaste, and a couple of floss threaders is all you need. 

How to Floss with Braces

Flossing with braces is genuinely more difficult than flossing without them, but skipping it entirely gives plaque a free pass to damage the areas between your teeth where no toothbrush can reach. The good news is that having the right tools makes it much more manageable:

  • A floss threader is a small, flexible loop that lets you guide regular floss behind your archwire so you can clean between teeth without pulling on your brackets. 
  • A water flosser uses a pressurized stream of water to flush food and bacteria from around brackets, under wires, and between teeth. Research finds that brushing combined with a water flosser outperforms brushing with string floss alone. 

Common Brushing Mistakes to Avoid with Braces

Even people who brush regularly can develop problems with braces if their technique has gaps. Here are some common mistakes that you can avoid: 

  • Rushed brushing: Rushing through your brushing routine can cause you to miss the edges of brackets, which is exactly where decalcification starts. Taking your time creates a meaningful difference in how your smile looks after your braces come off.
  • Skipping your professional dental cleanings during treatment: Brushing and flossing at home is the foundation of good oral health and keeping your teeth bright, but there can be some plaque that sits on your teeth long enough to calcify into tartar, and tartar requires professional tools. 

Where to Find the Best Orthodontist in West LA for Teen and Adult Braces

Braces are a significant investment of time, money, and patience. The brushing habits you build during treatment determine whether you finish with a healthy, bright smile or with white spots, cavities, and gingivitis. 

At West LA Orthodontics, Dr. Shouhed offers gentle, precise orthodontic treatment for teens and adults, including advanced treatments like Invisalign. We’re trusted by the entertainment industry to create red-carpet-ready smiles with close attention to detail and patient comfort. 

Getting started is easier than you might expect, thanks to our virtual consultations that connect you with our treatment specialists for a no-pressure conversation about your smile goals and how we can bring your dream smile to life. 

Ready to learn what the best orthodontist in West LA can do for you?