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Brushing and Flossing for Kids with Braces: What the Experts Say
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Brushing and Flossing for Kids with Braces: What the Experts Say

Ask any parent who has ever made the decision to get their child braces or Invisalign and they will tell you it was one of the best decisions they made, and that their child’s smile has never looked better.

They will also likely tell you that it was no walk in the park, and not what you might consider an easy process.

From limiting their child from eating certain types of food, participating in certain activities, and not chewing gum, convincing a child to do most of those things, let alone all of them, can be quite difficult, especially at younger ages.

Another extremely important factor when it comes to the effectiveness of corrective orthodontics is dental hygiene during the process, which can also be more complicated and difficult to enforce than you think.

For that reason, we sat down and spoke with Dr. Dobie, a Connecticut orthodontist and founder of Dobie Revolution Orthodontics, who shared some practical insights on how your child can keep braces and teeth clean and gums healthy from day one.

Why Oral Hygiene Gets Tricky with Braces

As you can likely guess, food often gets trapped more easily during corrective orthodontics, especially braces. 

At a base level, brushing takes far longer, and flossing becomes a tedious process of threading, angling, and maneuvering through wires. Without a routine, kids can quickly develop plaque buildup, cavities, or gum irritation.

“Braces physically block access to certain areas of the teeth,” 

Dr. Dobie explained, stating, “You’re essentially working around obstacles, so it takes more time and attention.”

Common Hygiene Challenges with Braces

  • Food traps around brackets and wires
  • Limited access to tight crevices near the gumline
  • Higher risk of plaque buildup, especially if flossing is skipped or rushed
  • Longer routines, which children can struggle to stay consistent with

How to Brush with Braces: Tools and Techniques

Brushing is the foundation of any oral hygiene routine, but when braces are involved, it’s more so about method and precision.

Choose the Right Brush:

Always use soft bristles,” 

Dr. Dobie advises children with braces. 

“They clean effectively without irritating the gums or loosening brackets.” 

Interdental brushes or spindle brushes can also be super helpful when reaching under wires and between brackets.

Toothpaste Matters Too:

Your best bet will be to go with fluoride or nano-hydroxyapatite formulas

Now, if your child is experiencing sensitivity, a gentle sensitivity toothpaste can also help to ease discomfort.

Brushing Technique:

“Angle the toothbrush at 45 degrees toward the brackets” says Dr. Dobie, recommending that children brush above, below, and around each one using small circular motions. 

“Make sure to reach the gumline, don’t skip that step,”

How Often to Brush:

Brush at least twice a day, but ideally after every meal. 

“Two minutes is the minimum,” he adds, explaining that “Nighttime brushing is especially important since plaque has all night to sit undisturbed.”

Flossing with Braces: Why It’s Non-Negotiable

Where children with braces are typically pretty good about brushing, flossing often gets overlooked, and that’s when problems start. 

With braces, the gaps between teeth are even harder to reach, yet even more prone to plaque buildup.

According to Dr. Dobie, one major reason people floss incorrectly is that they simply weren’t taught how to do it right:

“A lot of people rush through flossing, or never learned the correct way. Some don’t realize you need to go down both sides of the tooth, flossing straight down doesn’t cut it, and it can even harm your gums.”

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Skipping the back molars: “People often ignore or forget the last tooth in the row, thinking it doesn’t need flossing.” says Dr. Dobie.
  • Using the wrong floss: Tight spaces need thin or tape-like floss, whereas wider gaps work better with thicker, waxed strands.
  • Using floss picks as a full replacement: “They’re helpful after meals,” Dr. Dobie says, “but they don’t get under the gumline the way traditional floss does.”

Tools That Help Kids Floss Better

  • Floss threaders: Make it easier to loop floss under the archwire
  • Interdental brushes: Good for quick cleanup between teeth and metalwork
  • Water flossers: These flossers are a good alternative to reach those pesky spots under the braces

Step-by-Step Flossing for Braces:

  1. Use a floss threader to thread the floss under the wire
  2. Wrap the floss gently around the side of one tooth
  3. Move up and down along the side of the tooth and under the gumline
  4. Repeat for the adjacent tooth, then pull the floss out and move to the next gap

Extra Tools That Can Make a Difference

  • Mouthwash: Use a fluoride or antibacterial rinse once a day to kill bacteria and reach places brushing might miss
  • Water flossers: As we already mentioned, these are a kid-friendly alternative if traditional flossing causes frustration
  • Orthodontic brushes: Small-tipped brushes designed to clean between brackets

Common Mistakes to Watch For

  • Brushing too hard: This can wear down enamel or even damage the braces
  • Using abrasive toothpaste: Avoid charcoal or gritty pastes, as they can damage braces and bands
  • Inconsistent routine: “Skipping even a day allows plaque to build up fast,” Dr. Dobie warns

Tips to Keep Kids on Track

  • Stay hydrated: Water helps rinse away food particles and prevents dry mouth
  • Adapt your routine as teeth shift: New gaps and angles will form as treatment progresses
  • Don’t skip checkups: Your child’s orthodontist and dentist will catch issues early and adjust care as needed

Final Thoughts

At the end of our conversation with Dr. Dobie, he made sure to mention the importance of consistency when it comes to keeping up with dental hygiene and tooth health when undergoing corrective orthodontics:

“Consistency is everything.” Dobie stated, explaining that “If your child can stick to a routine, use the right tools, and stay mindful of the trouble spots, they’ll finish their treatment not just with straighter teeth, but a truly healthy smile.”

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