Guide · Living with braces
How to Brush and Floss with Braces
To brush with braces, use a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste after every meal. Angle the bristles above and below the brackets, then clean between teeth daily with an interdental brush or floss threader. Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee at Yonsei Baro, near Isu Station, explains appliance care before treatment begins.
Cleaning with braces at a glance
| Question | General answer |
|---|---|
| How often to brush | After every meal or snack, and always before bed |
| Toothbrush | Soft-bristled manual or electric brush; replace it when the bristles splay |
| Toothpaste | Fluoride toothpaste; spit out the excess rather than rinsing it all away |
| Between teeth | Once a day with interdental brushes, floss threaders or a water flosser |
| Clear aligners | Brush teeth before putting aligners back; clean the aligners daily |
| Check-ups | Ask us to check your technique at any orthodontic visit |
Why is cleaning so important with braces?
Brackets, wires and elastic ties create dozens of small ledges where plaque collects. Plaque inflames the gums and releases acid that dissolves enamel. The first sign is often a chalky white mark around a bracket — an early loss of mineral that can stay visible after braces come off and, if it progresses, become a cavity.
Puffy, bleeding gums are also common when cleaning slips, and inflamed gums can slow tooth movement. A few minutes of careful cleaning each day prevents most of this.
How do you brush teeth with braces?
- Rinse first. Swish with water to loosen food caught in the brackets.
- Brush the gum line. Tilt the bristles at about 45 degrees towards the gums and use small circular movements, a few teeth at a time.
- Brush above the brackets. Angle the brush down from above so the bristles reach between the bracket and the gum.
- Brush below the brackets. Angle the brush up from below to clean the other side of each bracket.
- Clean the inner and chewing surfaces. Brush the tongue side of every tooth and the biting surfaces of the back teeth.
- Check in the mirror. Clean brackets look shiny and the edges are clearly visible. Fuzzy or dull brackets need another pass.
- Spit, don’t rinse away the toothpaste. Leaving a thin layer of fluoride on the teeth helps protect the enamel.
Take your time — most people need longer than the usual two minutes with braces. An electric brush with a small round head can help, but a soft manual brush used carefully works well too.
How do you clean between teeth with braces?
A toothbrush cannot reach between teeth or under the wire. Once a day — usually before bed — use one or more of these:
Interdental brushes
Small bottle-shaped brushes that slide under the wire and between brackets. Quick to use and suitable for most people; we can suggest a size.
Floss with a threader or super floss
A floss threader is a stiff plastic loop that pulls floss under the wire; super floss has a stiffened end that does the same job. Wrap the floss around each tooth in a C shape and slide it gently below the gum line.
Water flossers
A jet of water flushes out food around brackets. Helpful alongside brushing, but not a replacement for it.
Single-tuft brushes and orthodontic wax
A small single-tuft brush is useful around the last molars and any bracket that is hard to reach. Keep orthodontic wax at home, at school and in your bag for any wire that pokes.
How do you clean clear aligners?
With Invisalign and other clear aligners , your teeth are easy to clean but the aligners hold whatever is left on them against the teeth for hours. A simple routine works:
- Brush and clean between your teeth before putting the aligners back in after eating.
- Rinse aligners in cool or lukewarm water whenever you take them out. Hot water can warp them.
- Once a day, gently brush the aligners with a soft toothbrush and clear, unscented soap. Toothpaste can be abrasive and dull the surface.
- Store aligners in their case, never wrapped in a napkin — that is how most aligners get lost.
- Follow any specific cleaning instructions you are given for your aligner system.
Helping children and teens keep braces clean
Children and younger teens often need a parent to check their brushing, especially in the first months. A disclosing tablet, which stains leftover plaque, makes missed areas easy to see. Our pediatric dentistry team, led by board-certified pediatric dentist Dr. Ho-seon Lee , can provide check-ups, cleanings and fluoride for children in braces; see dental care during braces . Contact us for pediatric dentistry appointment times.
Food and cleaning go together
Sticky, sugary foods are the hardest to clean and the most likely to cause decay; see what to eat with braces and cavity prevention . If gums keep bleeding or a white mark appears, tell us at your next visit or send a photo by WhatsApp.
Cleaning with braces FAQs
Why do my gums bleed when I brush around my braces?
Bleeding usually means the gums are inflamed by plaque, not that you are brushing too hard. Keep brushing gently along the gum line and cleaning between teeth every day; healthy gums generally settle once the plaque is removed. If bleeding continues for more than a week or two, mention it at your next visit.
Are white spots after braces permanent?
White spots are areas where enamel has lost some of its mineral. Early, mild spots can become less noticeable once the area is kept clean and exposed to fluoride, but some marks remain. The most reliable approach is prevention: thorough brushing, daily cleaning between teeth and fluoride toothpaste throughout treatment.
Can I brush my teeth with my aligners in?
No. Take the aligners out, brush and clean between your teeth, then put the aligners back. Brushing over the aligners leaves plaque trapped against the teeth. Clean the aligners separately with a soft brush and cool water, as described above.
How should I clean a fixed retainer?
A bonded wire retainer behind the front teeth collects plaque and tartar easily. Brush along it carefully and clean underneath with a floss threader or a small interdental brush every day. Keep regular check-ups so tartar can be removed. Our retainers page covers fixed and removable retainers.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee, DDS, PhD
Board-certified orthodontist (Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare) · Adjunct Professor of Orthodontics, Yonsei University · Last updated October 2026
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Treatment results and duration vary from person to person. Orthodontic treatment can cause temporary discomfort and, in some cases, root shortening, gum recession or tooth decay if oral hygiene is poor; teeth can relapse if retainers are not worn as instructed.
Want your cleaning routine checked?
Ask at your next visit or send us a message in English. Dr. Lee and our team will show you what to change. Isu Station Exit 2 · Open until 9 PM Mon & Thu · Saturdays 9 AM–2 PM.