How to Keep Your Child’s Teeth Clean During Braces Treatment

When my child first got braces, I was a bit overwhelmed. I knew that braces would help straighten their teeth, but I wasn’t sure how to keep their teeth clean during the treatment. I also worried about how braces would affect their oral hygiene routine. Would plaque build up around the brackets? Would food get stuck in the wires? These were some of the questions I had. After doing a bit of research and getting advice from our orthodontist, I discovered several strategies to make this process much easier. Now, I want to share these tips with you to help you maintain your child’s healthy smile during their braces treatment.

1. Encourage Regular Brushing with Proper Technique

Brushing your child’s teeth with braces requires more effort than just brushing without them. Braces create additional places for food and plaque to hide, which is why it’s essential to brush more carefully and more often. I quickly learned that my child needed to brush their teeth after every meal to remove food particles and plaque from around the brackets and wires. This meant carrying a portable toothbrush with us when we were out and about, which was a small inconvenience but worth it.

The right technique is key. I made sure my child brushed at a 45-degree angle, making sure to reach the area between the brackets and the gum line. It helps to use a soft-bristled toothbrush, as it’s gentler on the braces and the gums. An orthodontic toothbrush, which has bristles designed to fit around the brackets, can make this task even easier. And don’t forget the back teeth! It’s easy for those to be neglected, but they also need attention.

2. Use an Interdental Brush or Proxy Brush

One of the best tools I found for cleaning around braces was an interdental brush, or proxy brush. This little brush is small enough to fit between the wires and brackets, and it’s excellent for removing trapped food and plaque from hard-to-reach places. When I first introduced this to my child, they were skeptical, but after a few uses, they appreciated how it helped keep their teeth cleaner between regular brushing sessions. I made it part of their daily routine to use the interdental brush at least once or twice a day, especially after meals.

Using an interdental brush is also a great way to avoid buildup around the brackets, which can lead to cavities or gum disease. You can find them at most drugstores or ask your orthodontist for a recommendation on which one would work best for your child’s braces.

3. Don’t Skip Flossing—Use Special Floss for Braces

Flossing with braces might seem impossible, but it’s not only possible—it’s essential! When my child first got braces, I was concerned that flossing would be too difficult with all the wires and brackets in the way. However, there are special flosses designed for braces that make it much easier to clean between teeth. These flosses often come with a stiff end that you can thread under the wire, and they help clean areas where regular floss can’t reach.

I made sure my child flossed at least once a day. This step became especially important after meals when food could easily get stuck between the brackets. By getting into the habit early on, my child developed a good routine and avoided any major plaque buildup between their teeth.

4. Use Mouthwash to Keep Things Fresh

While brushing and flossing are critical, using mouthwash can provide an extra layer of protection. I found that rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash after brushing helped to reduce the buildup of bacteria and plaque around the braces. It also left my child’s mouth feeling fresh and clean. But I was careful to choose a mouthwash that was alcohol-free, as alcohol can irritate the gums, especially when the brackets and wires are constantly rubbing against them.

Some mouthwashes also contain fluoride, which can help strengthen tooth enamel and protect against cavities. I made sure that my child used mouthwash in addition to regular brushing to keep their teeth and gums as healthy as possible throughout their braces journey.

5. Avoid Certain Foods That Could Damage Braces

One of the hardest lessons we learned during my child’s braces treatment was that certain foods are off-limits. At first, I didn’t realize how many foods could potentially damage the brackets or get stuck in the wires. Sticky foods like caramel, gum, and taffy can pull off the brackets, and crunchy foods like popcorn or hard candies can break wires. To avoid this, I worked with my child to make sure they avoided these problem foods during their treatment.

Of course, there will be times when your child accidentally eats something they shouldn’t. In those instances, I made sure to carefully check their braces for any damage. If there was an issue, I’d contact our orthodontist to see if we needed to come in for a repair. But by sticking to softer foods and avoiding anything too sticky or hard, we were able to prevent most issues.

6. Keep Up with Regular Orthodontic Appointments

Keeping your child’s teeth clean during braces isn’t just about brushing and flossing at home—it’s also about maintaining regular visits to the orthodontist. These appointments are essential for monitoring progress and making adjustments to the braces. I made sure to keep up with the scheduled visits, which helped ensure that any potential issues were caught early on. For example, if my child’s brackets or wires were causing irritation to their gums, the orthodontist could adjust them right away.

Regular visits also give the orthodontist the opportunity to check for any signs of plaque buildup, cavities, or gum disease. They can offer advice on how to improve hygiene or suggest products that might help my child care for their braces more effectively.

7. Be Patient and Consistent

Finally, I learned that consistency is key when it comes to maintaining oral hygiene during braces. It can be a bit of a struggle at first, especially with a younger child, but making sure that your child sticks to their routine is crucial. I also found that offering gentle reminders and positive reinforcement helped keep my child on track.

At the end of the day, while it may take a little extra time and effort to keep teeth clean during braces, the rewards are well worth it. After all, a beautiful, healthy smile is the goal—and with the right care, your child’s smile will shine brightly once the braces come off!