Dra. Cléo Salustiano In this article
SummaryWhy does hygiene with braces need more attention?How to clean your teeth with braces, in practiceFAQRead nextOral Hygiene with Braces: How to Clean Your Teeth
Book your braces and clear aligners assessment on WhatsAppPrefer not to wait for a reply? Book online now, no phone call needed: see the open times and pick yours, any time (booking page in Portuguese).
Quick summary of this article+
Hygiene with braces needs more attention because brackets and wires trap plaque, which can cause white spots on the enamel, cavities and gum inflammation. The tools complement each other: a toothbrush (soft or orthodontic), floss with a floss threader and an interdental brush. Avoid sticky and sugary foods, and keep up with more frequent cleanings. With aligners, brush before putting the trays back in. In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients every day, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Oral hygiene with braces takes a bit more attention — and it's key to finishing treatment with healthy, beautiful teeth. Brackets and wires create little corners where plaque builds up, so a toothbrush, floss and an interdental brush, used with good technique, make all the difference in avoiding white spots, cavities and gum problems.
In clinical practice, it's common to see two patients finish braces in very different ways: one with healthy teeth, the other with white spots on the enamel from poor hygiene. The difference almost always comes down to day-to-day cleaning during treatment.
In this article, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) explains how to keep your teeth clean with braces, which tools to use and how to avoid the most common problems. Since every case is unique, your orthodontist's guidance is always your go-to reference.
This article comes from Dr. Cléo Salustiano's dental office in Mooca, São Paulo (care in English, Portuguese and Spanish). See the braces and clear aligners page to learn how the treatment is done here and book your assessment.
Why does hygiene with braces need more attention?
Fixed braces have brackets and wires bonded to the teeth, which create surfaces and corners where plaque builds up easily — precisely in the areas a regular toothbrush has the hardest time reaching. That's why hygiene needs to be more thorough.
When plaque builds up around the brackets, two problems can appear: white spots on the enamel (demineralization) and gum inflammation. White spots are especially unwelcome, because they spoil the look of the very treatment that was meant to improve your smile.
Plaque also favors cavities and tartar buildup, which keeps the gums inflamed. So hygiene during braces isn't just about appearance: it's what protects the health of your teeth and gums over months of treatment.
The tools complement each other: the toothbrush (ideally an orthodontic or soft-bristled one) cleans the surfaces and around the brackets; floss (with a floss threader) cleans between the teeth; and the interdental brush reaches the spaces around the wires and brackets.
With clear aligners, hygiene is easier, because you take them out to brush and floss normally. But there's an extra step: clean the aligners themselves and brush your teeth before putting them back in, so you don't 'seal' food debris and sugar against your teeth.
In short, with braces, hygiene is still the foundation of everything — just with more tools and more attention. Done well, it helps you finish treatment with a straight, healthy smile and no surprises.
| Tool or habit | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Orthodontic or soft-bristled toothbrush | Cleaning above and below the brackets, angled toward the area between the bracket and the gum |
| Floss with a floss threader (or floss made for braces) | Passing floss under the archwire to clean between the teeth, where plaque hides the most |
| Interdental brush | Getting into the spaces around the brackets and wire; ask your orthodontist for the right size |
| Brushing after meals, taking your time | Gentle strokes and care matter more than force |
| Avoiding sticky and very sugary foods | They cling to the braces and favor plaque |
| More frequent professional cleanings | Hygiene is harder with braces, and tartar keeps the gums inflamed |
| What poor hygiene causes | White spots on the enamel (demineralization), cavities and gum inflammation |
How to clean your teeth with braces, in practice
Brush after meals, taking your time. With fixed braces, it's worth spending longer: run the brush above and below the brackets, angling it to clean the area between the bracket and the gum. Gentle strokes and care matter more than force.
Use floss with a floss threader (or floss made for braces), which helps you pass the floss under the archwire to clean between the teeth. It may take some effort at first, but it's essential: between the teeth is where plaque hides the most.
The interdental brush is a great ally: it gets into the spaces around the brackets and wire, cleaning where a regular toothbrush can't reach. Ask your orthodontist which size is right for you.
Watch what you eat. Sticky foods (candy, caramels) and very sugary foods stick to the braces and make cleaning harder, besides favoring cavities. Cutting back helps both your hygiene and the health of your teeth during treatment.
With aligners, brush your teeth before putting the trays back in and clean the trays themselves as instructed. Avoid sugary or colored drinks with the aligners in, so sugar and pigments don't stay in contact with your teeth.
Finally, keep your appointments and cleanings up to date. The dental professional removes tartar the toothbrush can't and checks your gum health. People with braces usually benefit from more frequent cleanings, as recommended.
How do I brush my teeth with braces?
+
With a soft or orthodontic toothbrush, after meals and taking your time: brush above and below the brackets, angling the brush to clean between the bracket and the gum. Gentle strokes and care matter more than force. Finish with floss and an interdental brush.
Do I need to floss with braces?
+
Yes, it's essential. Use a floss threader (or floss made for braces) to pass the floss under the archwire and clean between the teeth. It takes some effort, but between the teeth is where plaque builds up the most. Don't skip this step.
What is an interdental brush?
+
It's a small brush that fits into the spaces around the brackets and wire, cleaning where a regular toothbrush can't reach. It's a great ally for hygiene with braces. Ask your orthodontist which size is right for you.
What are the white spots on the enamel?
+
They're areas of demineralization caused by plaque buildup around the brackets due to poor hygiene. They spoil the look of the very treatment. That's why thorough hygiene during braces matters so much — preventing them is much better than treating them later.
Do braces cause more cavities?
+
Not by themselves, but they favor plaque buildup, which can lead to cavities if hygiene isn't thorough. With good brushing, floss, an interdental brush and regular cleanings, it's possible to get through treatment without cavities. Hygiene is the key.
How often should I get a professional cleaning with braces?
+
People with braces usually benefit from more frequent cleanings (every three or four months, for example), as recommended. Braces make hygiene harder and favor tartar, so closer follow-up helps keep everything healthy.
What foods should I avoid with braces?
+
Sticky foods (candy, caramels, gum) and very hard ones (ice, nuts, popcorn kernels), plus too much sugar. Sticky foods cling and make cleaning harder; hard foods can pop brackets off. Cutting back protects both your hygiene and the braces themselves.
How do I keep things clean with clear aligners?
+
Hygiene is easier: you take the aligners out to brush and floss normally. The extra step is brushing your teeth before putting the trays back in and cleaning the trays themselves, so you don't 'seal' debris against your teeth.
Can I drink soda with my aligners in?
+
It's better to avoid sugary or colored drinks with the aligners in, because they keep sugar and pigments in contact with your teeth, favoring cavities and stains. Ideally, take the trays out to drink and brush before putting them back in.
Are swollen gums with braces normal?
+
Mild inflammation can happen, especially if hygiene isn't thorough — it's a sign of plaque buildup. It improves with proper cleaning. If your gums get very swollen, bleed a lot or hurt, mention it to your orthodontist for an assessment.
Does brushing harder clean braces better?
+
No. Too much force and stiff bristles can hurt your gums and loosen brackets without cleaning any better. The ideal is a soft or orthodontic brush and careful, gentle strokes, spending more time on the areas around the brackets.
Does mouthwash help with hygiene during braces?
+
It can help as a complement, but it doesn't replace brushing, flossing and the interdental brush. What actually removes plaque is mechanical cleaning. Use mouthwash as support, if your dentist recommends it, not as a standalone solution.
How long should I spend brushing?
+
With braces, it's worth spending more time than usual, without rushing, to clean well around the brackets and between the teeth. There's no magic number — what matters is being thorough in every area, several times a day, after meals.
Can poor hygiene delay treatment?
+
It can. Hygiene problems may make it necessary to pause tooth movement to treat the gums, delaying the whole process. On top of that, white spots and cavities lead to extra treatments. Good hygiene helps treatment stay on schedule and healthy.
Where can I get follow-up care and cleanings in Mooca?
+
Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients at Rua Hipódromo, 1141, in Mooca, São Paulo, Monday to Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., in Portuguese, English and Spanish. The assessment guides you on the right hygiene routine and sets how often you need cleanings during treatment.
