How Many Times Should I Brush My Teeth With Braces? (4 Times Per Day?)

Last Updated on July 4, 2023 by Gio Greenard

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums during your orthodontic treatment requires brushing and flossing very regularly. Our recommendation is to brush at least four times per day while wearing braces: after breakfast, in the morning, and at night. In the afternoon, right after school/work or after lunch.

Your orthodontist is uniquely qualified to assist with any questions that arise related to wearing and taking proper care of braces. Because they’ve received specialized training that goes beyond dental school, they can be counted on to provide the most comprehensive and helpful information, plus tips for all ages on getting the best experience from wearing braces. Let’s look at a few of the most frequently asked questions orthodontists get about caring for your teeth with braces.

How Many Times a Day Do You Brush Your Teeth with Braces?

Orthodontists are in agreement that teeth should be brushed after every meal and snack when you have braces. It’s also a great idea to brush right before bed. Bedtime brushing ensures that plaque doesn’t have time to form on your child’s teeth overnight. Dental plaque is a sticky and usually colorless film that contains bacteria and starts to form on teeth after meals and after drinking sugary beverages. If it isn’t removed correctly and regularly, it can lead to tooth decay and eventual gum disease.

Kids can come up with every reason in the book to skip teeth cleaning even once a day, so having success with brushing after every meal and snack might seem like a tall order! Reminding them of how healthy and beautiful those smiles will be can be motivating for teenagers. You can amp up the fun factor with younger kids by using a kitchen timer to make sure they’re brushing for at least two minutes, or playing a favorite song that’s at least that length. So to recap our answer to that million dollar smile question, “How many times a day do you brush your teeth with braces?” As many times a day as there are meals and/or snacks and at bedtime.

How Do I Keep My Teeth Clean with Braces?

Now that you know how many times a day your child should brush their teeth with braces, let’s talk about the how of keeping teeth with braces bright and clean. Since braces are perfect for catching bits of food, having and following a daily cleaning process is essential.

• Brushing

Helping your child learn and apply proper brushing techniques will go a long way toward a lifetime of optimal dental health. Begin by rinsing the mouth with water to wash away any remaining bits of food. Holding the brush at a 45-degree angle, brush gently along the gumline in small circles. Next, brush the brackets from both the top and bottom angles. Kids and even young teenagers will probably appreciate your assistance with the routine until they become comfortable with the steps. Electric toothbrushes can also be successfully used with teeth that have braces and are a popular choice because many of them move in a circular direction. You may need to switch your brush off when brushing the brackets if yours does not move in the desired direction.

A related question to keeping teeth clean with braces is “What is the best toothbrush to use when you have braces?” A regular toothbrush with soft bristles and rounded edges will work just fine, but there are also orthodontic cut brushes that have bristles in the shape of a “V” to accomplish better plaque removal. Additionally, interdental or “proxa-brushes” can be very valuable in dislodging larger food particles from between the teeth and braces. If this is your first experience with braces, the amount of information about their care can seem daunting. When in doubt about whether a particular type of brush will work well for braces, always consult your orthodontist.

What are the Top Tooth Brushing Mistakes? – Beach Braces

• Flossing

Using floss to clean your child’s teeth with braces is just as important as the choice of toothbrush and brushing techniques. The main difference between regular flossing and flossing with braces is that you need to be able to get the floss underneath the braces to thoroughly clean the tooth surfaces. There are types of floss that are self-threading, but you can also use a floss threader for this purpose. Floss threaders are made of flexible plastic that helps you pass the floss under the wires of the braces. Be sure to take your time and carefully floss each tooth, paying special attention to the gumline. Kids will very likely need a lot of assistance with this process. Water flossers are an option that may also work very well for your child. They are equipped with tapered brushes to help remove plaque, bacteria, and food.

• Fluoride

Orthodontists recommend the use of toothpastes that contain fluoride. Fluoride keeps tooth enamel healthy and strong and helps stop tooth decay. Fluoride rinses add an extra layer of protection for your child’s teeth. There are many flavors available to suit almost any preference. It’s also a great idea to use a toothpaste that helps control tartar buildup on teeth. One common dental practice that should wait until your child’s braces come off is teeth whitening. The whitening products don’t reach the areas of the teeth covered by the braces, resulting in uneven whitening.

Although it’s crucial to your child’s successful experience with braces to have thorough daily cleaning routines that are consistent, the most important advice is to be patient with the process. Keep the goal of a winning smile in mind and know that all your efforts will pay big dividends in the future! When you hear the questions, “How many times a day do I brush my teeth with braces?”, “How do I keep my teeth clean with braces?”, and “What is the best toothbrush to use when you have braces?”, share this post!

Dr. Patricia J. Panucci of Beach Braces is one of Southern California’s most qualified orthodontic specialists, and her #1 goal is to provide high-quality orthodontic care in a fun, interactive, and effective environment. Call today to schedule your one-time complimentary exam and let Beach Braces help you to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile because everyone should love to smile!

Dr Patricia Panucci

Dr Patti Panucci attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry for four years, where she graduated with a DMD degree (May 2000) among the Top 10 in her class. Following that, she headed west to Los Angeles to complete her three-year residency at one of the top-ranked orthodontic programs in the country – the University of Southern California.

Along with her certificate in orthodontics, Dr. Panucci earned a master’s degree in craniofacial biology. During those three years, she fell in love with Southern California beach life and decided that this was where her future lay.