Oral Hygiene During Treatment
Good oral hygiene matters for everyone, but during orthodontic treatment, it's even more critical. Here's why, and how to keep it up.
Know Your Enemy
Why Hygiene Is Harder (and More Important) With Braces
Braces and clear aligners are very effective at correcting misaligned teeth, but they can also trap food particles easily. The major enemy of oral health is plaque: a thin coating of microorganisms and organic debris containing potentially harmful bacteria, and appliances make plaque harder to remove.
The bacteria in plaque digest the sugars in food, producing acids that may erode teeth and irritate gums. That can cause cavities, white spots on teeth, gum disease, and bad breath. Keeping plaque under control is your teeth's best defense, and there are three ways to do it: diet, daily maintenance, and professional care.
Your Defense Plan
Diet, Daily Maintenance & Professional Care
Pillar 1
Diet & Decay
Cut down on sugary foods like soda, sweets, and ice cream, and avoid anything that sticks in braces or physically damages them: toffee, gum, caramels, hard candies, nuts, beef jerky, hard pizza crust. Keep eating healthy foods like carrots and apples, just cut them into bite-sized pieces first. Full list on our foods to avoid page.
Pillar 2
Daily Maintenance
Brush with the right tools, floss at least once a day using a floss threader, and reach the tight spots with an interdental brush. Depending on your situation, we may also recommend a supplemental fluoride treatment to boost cavity resistance, or an antiseptic rinse for minor gum irritation. Technique details on our brushing and flossing page.
Pillar 3
Professional Care
Seeing us regularly doesn't replace your regular dentist, it's as important as ever! While we focus on your bite and alignment, your dentist keeps your teeth healthy with exams, cleanings, and preventive care. Your treatment is a team effort: our office, you, and your family dentist, all with one goal: a winning smile.
Our Recommendations
Tools That Make It Easier
A soft-bristle or bi-level toothbrush (longer bristles at the edges, shorter in the middle) is effective at plaque removal even with braces. We also recommend Sonicare electric toothbrushes and WaterPik water flossers. And for the hardest-to-clean areas, try an interdental brush (proxabrush): shaped like a tiny pipe cleaner, its small bristles reach between wires, brackets, and teeth to control plaque buildup in the smallest nooks and crannies.
- Soft-bristle or bi-level toothbrush
- Sonicare electric toothbrush
- WaterPik water flosser
- Floss threaders + orthodontic floss
- Interdental brush (proxabrush)
Got a Retainer?
Retainer Care Rules
Brush your retainer daily, the same way you brush your teeth, and we may recommend a cleaning solution too. Three hard rules: never use hot water (it distorts the soft plastic and can make your retainer unusable), never use denture cleaner, and always keep your retainer in its case when it's not in your mouth.
Questions About Keeping Things Clean?
Our staff reviews proper techniques with every patient when braces go on, and we're happy to refresh you anytime. Don't hesitate to ask!
Request an Appointment