Braces, crowns, bridges, and implants all help improve your smile — but they also come with new challenges when it comes to keeping your mouth clean. Proper brushing and flossing are even more important if you have dental appliances, since food particles and plaque can build up more easily around wires, brackets, or restorations.
In this post, we’ll walk you through how to brush and floss effectively with braces or dental work, so you can protect your teeth, gums, and investment in your smile.
Why Oral Hygiene Is Extra Important with Dental Work
Appliances like braces and bridges create more spaces for bacteria and food debris to hide, which increases the risk of:
- Cavities
- Gum inflammation (gingivitis)
- Staining around brackets
- Bad breath
- White spot lesions or enamel damage
Taking the time to clean thoroughly will help keep your mouth healthy throughout your treatment and beyond.
Brushing with Braces or Dental Work
🪥 1. Use a Soft-Bristled or Orthodontic Toothbrush
Choose a soft brush with a small head or a brush designed for braces (with a V-shaped bristle pattern).
Electric toothbrushes with orthodontic brush heads are also great for removing plaque.
🕒 2. Brush After Every Meal
Aim for at least 3 times a day — after breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Don’t forget to brush your tongue and along the gumline!
↕️ 3. Angle Your Brush
Brush above and below each bracket or appliance at a 45-degree angle.
Use gentle, circular motions — avoid harsh scrubbing that could damage brackets or gums.
⏱ 4. Brush for a Full 2 Minutes
Focus on all surfaces: front, back, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
Set a timer or play a song if it helps keep track.
Flossing with Braces, Bridges, or Crowns
Flossing can be tricky with appliances in the way — but it’s absolutely essential to remove plaque between teeth and under the gumline.
🧵 1. Use a Floss Threader or Super Floss
These tools help guide the floss under the wire or bridge.
Gently slide the floss between the teeth, hugging the sides of each tooth in a C-shape.
🦷 2. Try an Interdental Brush or Proxabrush
These small, cone-shaped brushes slide between brackets and under wires to remove debris.
Great for tight or hard-to-reach areas where floss can’t reach.
💧 3. Consider a Water Flosser
A water flosser (like Waterpik®) uses a stream of water to clean between teeth and around appliances.
Ideal for people with limited dexterity or who find traditional flossing difficult.
Special Tips by Type of Dental Work
🦷 With Braces:
- Avoid sticky or hard foods that can break brackets.
- Use fluoride toothpaste to help protect enamel from demineralization.
🦷 With Dental Crowns or Bridges:
- Pay close attention to the gumline and edges of restorations.
- Use non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid scratching porcelain surfaces.
🦷 With Dental Implants:
- Keep the area around the implant very clean to prevent peri-implantitis (gum infection around the implant).
- Use soft picks, implant-specific brushes, or a water flosser for daily maintenance.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your teeth clean with braces or dental work takes a little extra effort — but it’s well worth it. Good oral hygiene not only keeps your breath fresh and your gums healthy, but it also helps ensure your dental treatment is successful in the long term.
Need help with brushing or flossing technique? We’re here for you.
Our dental team is happy to demonstrate the right tools and techniques for your specific dental work — whether you have braces, bridges, crowns, or implants. Book a hygiene visit today and keep your smile on the right track!