How to Care for Your Teeth During Braces or Aligners
- Kailey Harned
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Thinking about starting orthodontic treatment—or already in the middle of it? Whether you’re wearing metal braces, ceramic brackets, lingual braces, or clear aligners, maintaining good oral hygiene is key to a healthy, successful outcome.
In this post, we’ll break down why orthodontic care is important, how it affects your oral health, and the best ways to keep your teeth and gums in top shape throughout treatment.
Why Orthodontic Treatment Matters
Braces and aligners do more than just straighten your teeth. They help fix bite issues, reduce crowding, and improve your long-term oral health. Correcting these problems can make it easier to clean your teeth, prevent cavities, and avoid gum issues. And it’s not just for kids—adults can benefit from orthodontics too.
Challenges with Braces vs. Aligners
Clear aligners are easy to remove, which makes cleaning your teeth more straightforward. But if you have fixed braces—metal, clear, or lingual—you’ll need to be extra careful. These appliances can trap food and plaque, increasing the risk of:
Gum inflammation (gingivitis)
Cavities around brackets
Less-than-ideal results at the end of treatment
How to Brush with Braces
Brushing properly can make all the difference. Here’s what we recommend:
Angle your toothbrush 45° toward the gum line.
Brush gently in circles—not side-to-side scrubbing.
Clean above, below, and around each bracket.
Focus on the gum line to prevent swelling.
Brush for at least two minutes, twice a day.
Tools That Make a Difference
Manual brushing is a great start, but adding the right tools can take your routine to the next level:
Electric toothbrushes: More effective at removing plaque.
Water flossers: Flush out food and debris from around brackets.
Platypus flossers: Designed to fit under orthodontic wires.
Floss threaders and proxabrushes: Help clean tight spaces and around brackets.
We often tell our patients: interdental cleaning is like exercise for your gums. Just like muscles need movement, your gums need daily care between the teeth to stay strong and healthy.
We’re Here to Help
If you’re thinking about braces—or already wearing them—don’t hesitate to ask us for personalized advice. At Riverview Dental, we’re happy to walk you through the best tools and techniques to make your orthodontic journey a healthy one.
Want to talk about your smile goals?
Schedule a consultation or call us at 614-268-5744. We’d love to help you smile with confidence.
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