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Brushing and Flossing With Braces

Keeping your teeth clean during orthodontic treatment is one of the most important things you can do — for your health, your comfort, and the quality of your final result. This step-by-step guide from Dr. Hessamfar and the ABSC team covers everything you need to know about brushing and flossing properly throughout your treatment.

Why Dental Hygiene Matters So Much With Braces

Brushing and flossing after every meal is significantly more important when wearing orthodontic appliances than at any other time in your life. Brackets, wires, expanders, and aligners create additional surfaces where plaque and food particles can accumulate — and when that buildup goes unaddressed, it leads to cavities, swollen gums (gingivitis), bad breath, and permanent white spot lesions on the tooth surface. These problems can arise regardless of whether you are wearing braces, clear aligners, or any other orthodontic device.

The good news: avoiding these issues is straightforward with the right habits in place. Brush in the morning, after every meal and snack, and before bed — using a fluoride toothpaste to strengthen enamel and prevent decay. Floss at least once daily, and consider using a Waterpik water flosser to flush out debris that floss may miss around brackets and wires.

The Importance of Dental Hygiene

Plaque and food particles that get stuck between braces, behind expanders, or between your teeth can cause cavities, swollen gums (gingivitis), bad breath, and permanent white spots — regardless of whether you are wearing braces, aligners, or other devices. The last thing you need is another painful issue with your teeth.

Fortunately, avoiding these problems is an easy task. Make sure to brush your teeth in the morning, after meals and snacks, and before you go to bed. The toothpaste you use should contain fluoride so that it strengthens your enamel while preventing cavities. Make sure to brush thoroughly, floss between your teeth, and if you can, use a Waterpik to clean between the teeth.

How to Brush Your Teeth With Braces

Brush your teeth for two minutes after every meal using a soft-bristled, small-headed toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. For best results, use an electric toothbrush to increase cleaning efficiency around brackets and wires.

Use small, gentle, circular motions on the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth. Brush the chewing edges and the inside of your front teeth using short, gentle, back-and-forth motions. Do not forget to brush the gum line — where your teeth meet your gums — with gentle strokes.

Brushing with braces can feel awkward at first, but it becomes second nature quickly. Make sure to angle the bristles so you can reach both above and below the brackets — do not just brush across the front of them. Need more help? Check out the step-by-step guide below.

How to Brush With Braces — Step by Step

Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum and brush in a circular motion.

Brushing: Step 1

Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum and brush in a circular motion, working around the outside of each bracket.

Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum and brush in a circular motion.

Brushing: Step 3

Gently brush along the gum line without irritating the gums. Use light pressure — scrubbing too hard can cause gum recession over time.

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Brushing: Step 2

Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth. Angle the bristles both above and below the brackets to dislodge all plaque and food particles.

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Brushing: Step 4

Use the tip of your brush to clean the inner surface of each front tooth using a gentle up-and-down flicking motion. This area is easy to miss and especially important.

Flossing With Braces

Flossing after every meal helps keep your teeth and braces clean, significantly reducing the risk of cavities, gum disease, and plaque buildup between teeth — all of which can affect your treatment timeline and final result.

To floss with braces, use a floss threader or special orthodontic floss to thread the floss behind each wire. Cut a piece of floss approximately 17 inches long. Wrap the ends around the pointer fingers of both hands, leaving a few inches of taut floss between them. Gently slide the floss between each set of teeth using a back-and-forth motion, then curve it around each tooth in a C-shape and slide it beneath the gum line to remove plaque and hidden food particles.

Repeat this process for every tooth. If floss alone is not removing all debris from around your brackets and wires, a Waterpik water flosser is an excellent addition to your routine — it uses pressurized water to flush out particles that floss cannot reach. Consult Dr. Hessamfar if you have any questions about your flossing routine. Need more help? Check out the step-by-step guide below.

Dr. Ron Hessamfar DMD MS orthodontist at American Braces and Smile Center Northern Virginia
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Flossing: Step 1

Using a piece of floss approximately 17 inches long, carefully thread the end between the braces and the wire. A floss threader makes this significantly easier — use one if available.

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Flossing: Step 3

Carefully floss around each tooth, using a gentle back-and-forth motion. Avoid applying too much pressure directly against the bracket — excessive force can dislodge brackets from the tooth surface.

take care of Palatal Expander

Flossing: Step 2

Gently floss around the braces, working the floss carefully along both sides of each bracket. Use light, controlled pressure — do not snap or force the floss, which can break brackets off the teeth.

take care of Palatal Expander

Flossing: Step 4

Curve the floss into a C-shape around each tooth and slide it gently beneath the gum line. This removes plaque and debris from the area most prone to gum disease. Repeat for every tooth.

Frequently Asked Questions — Brushing and Flossing With Braces

Brush after every meal and snack — at minimum in the morning, after lunch, after dinner, and before bed. With braces, food particles get trapped much more easily, making brushing after eating essential rather than optional.

Use a soft-bristled, small-headed toothbrush to maneuver around brackets and wires. An electric toothbrush is highly recommended — it removes significantly more plaque than a manual toothbrush and makes the process faster and more effective.

Use a floss threader or orthodontic floss to thread the floss behind each wire before flossing between each pair of teeth. It takes practice at first but becomes fast with repetition. A Waterpik can supplement flossing for thorough cleaning around brackets.

A floss threader is a small, flexible plastic loop used to guide floss behind orthodontic wires. They are available at most pharmacies and grocery stores in the dental care aisle. ABSC also provides them — ask at your next appointment.

Not required, but highly recommended. A Waterpik uses pressurized water to flush food debris and plaque from around brackets, wires, and beneath the gum line — areas that standard floss often cannot fully reach. It is an excellent complement to regular brushing and flossing.

Poor oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment can cause permanent white spot lesions (demineralization marks on the enamel), cavities, swollen or bleeding gums (gingivitis), and bad breath. These problems can develop within weeks of neglecting proper brushing and flossing and may require additional dental treatment to address.

Yes — an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash is an excellent addition to your routine with braces. It reaches areas the toothbrush may miss and provides extra cavity and enamel protection. Use it as a final step after brushing and flossing.

Trusted Orthodontic Guidance From ABSC

“Dr. Hessamfar’s team walked us through every detail of caring for my daughter’s braces from day one — including how to brush and floss properly. Her teeth looked great throughout treatment and she had zero cavities. The guidance they give is thorough and really makes a difference.”

— ABSC Orthodontics parent, Ashburn, VA

Patient education is a cornerstone of care at ABSC. Dr. Ron Hessamfar and his team take the time at every appointment to ensure patients understand how to care for their braces at home — because excellent oral hygiene during treatment directly affects the quality of the final result. With over 20 years of experience and three offices across Northern Virginia, ABSC is recognized as a Top Orthodontist by Northern Virginia Magazine and Washingtonian Magazine. Read more patient reviews here.

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Have Questions? We Are Here to Help.

If you have any questions about brushing, flossing, or caring for your braces between appointments — do not hesitate to reach out. The ABSC team is available at all three Northern Virginia locations and happy to help.

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Happy patient with straight teeth after braces treatment at ABSC Orthodontics in Ashburn Virginia