Braces do an amazing job of straightening teeth, but they also add a few extra nooks and crannies where food likes to hide. That’s why good brushing habits are extra important! Here’s a simple step-by-step brushing guide to help your child keep their smile healthy during orthodontic treatment.
1. Choose the right toothbrush 🪥
Select a toothbrush with a smaller head—we recommend a junior-size brush for the tweens and teens in braces. The smaller head makes it easier to clean around brackets and wires.
2. Brush above AND below the brackets on the top teeth
Start by tilting the toothbrush down along the gumline AND the top of your brackets. Brush along the entire upper arch. You’ll notice in the photo that if the bristles are angled properly, they’ll reach down between the brackets. Continue brushing the top teeth but now tilt the toothbrush up towards the brackets. Brush along the entire upper arch.
3. Brush across the brackets
Move the brush back and forth directly over the brackets to clean the front surfaces. Most kids start with this motion (and only this motion) but we highly recommend finishing with the back and fourth AFTER brushing along the top and bottom of the upper brackets.
4. Relax the lower lip
To reach the bottom teeth effectively, have your child open their mouth slightly to relax the lower lip or gentle pull the lip down so the brush can reach the gumline and the bottom of the bracket.
5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the bottom teeth
As a reminder, brush below the bracket near the gumline and above the bracket across the entire bottom arch. Then finish by brushing back and fourth.
✅ Pro Tip: Brush for 2 minutes total, making sure every tooth and bracket gets attention!
Important Reminder:
Don’t forget—your child’s orthodontic visits do NOT replace your child’s dental cleanings! It’s incredibly important to continue with their regular 6-month check-ups at the pediatric dentist during orthodontic treatment. In some cases, 3-month cleanings are recommended to help keep gums and teeth healthy while braces are on. Be sure to ask your pediatric dentist or trained hygienist if this is best for your child. Trust us—it’s much more expensive to fix teeth after orthodontic treatment than it is to take extra good care of them while your child is in braces. Think of regular dental cleanings as a way to protect your investment in their smile!
Ready to book your child’s next cleaning? Give us a call today—we’ll help keep their smile healthy and their braces journey on track!
Next, don’t forget to FLOSS:
Our next blog post will show you step-by-step how to floss with braces (with photos!) – link coming soon.