Daily Care Tips for Braces and Invisalign
Brushing & Flossing During Orthodontic Treatment
Taking care of your teeth and gums is especially important during orthodontic treatment. Whether you’re wearing braces or Invisalign clear aligners, good oral hygiene helps keep treatment on track, protects your enamel, and supports long-term results.
Healthy habits during treatment don’t just protect your smile now—they help ensure your results last once treatment is complete. If you’re ever unsure which tools or techniques are right for you, the Pinecrest Orthodontics team is always happy to help.
Brushing with Braces
When wearing braces, food and plaque can collect easily around brackets and wires. For best results, brushing should be thorough and consistent.
Recommended brushing tips:
Brush at least three times per day for two minutes each time
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
An electric toothbrush with orthodontic heads is highly recommended
Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline
Use small, gentle circular motions
Pay extra attention to areas around brackets and wires
Brushing carefully around orthodontic appliances helps prevent cavities, gum inflammation, and white spots on teeth.
Flossing with Braces
Daily flossing is essential for gum health during braces treatment, even though it takes a bit more effort.
How to floss with braces:
Use a floss threader to guide floss under the archwire
Wrap floss around your fingers, leaving a few inches between
Gently slide floss between teeth from the gumline upward
Floss each tooth individually
For patients who find traditional flossing difficult, a water flosser can be a helpful alternative to reduce plaque and support gum health.
Additional Hygiene Tools for Braces
In addition to brushing and flossing, the following tools can help keep your smile healthy during treatment:
Interproximal (Christmas tree) brushes to clean between brackets and wires
Fluoride rinse (such as ACT® Anticavity Rinse) used nightly to help prevent cavities and white spots
These tools help reach areas that regular brushing may miss.
Brushing & Flossing with Invisalign
Invisalign clear aligners offer the advantage of being removable, which makes oral hygiene simpler—but consistency is still important.
Tips for Invisalign patients:
Remove aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water
Brush teeth after meals before reinserting aligners
Brush and floss normally, at least twice per day
Clean aligners daily using a soft toothbrush and mild soap or Invisalign-approved cleaning products
Avoid putting aligners back in over unbrushed teeth to prevent trapping bacteria
Good hygiene helps keep aligners clear, fresh, and effective throughout treatment.
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