Brushing & Flossing With Braces or Invisalign: Complete Oral Hygiene Guide

Straight teeth are important—but healthy teeth are even more important. During orthodontic treatment, great oral hygiene is the key to finishing with a smile that’s not only straight, but also bright and cavity-free.

At Othman Orthodontics in Lombard and Orland Park, IL, we teach every patient how to brush and floss effectively with braces or Invisalign.

This guide covers:

• Why hygiene matters more during orthodontic treatment
• Step-by-step brushing instructions for braces and aligners
• Flossing techniques and tools that make it easier
• Smart food and drink choices
• How to avoid white spots, cavities and bad breath

Why Oral Hygiene Is Extra Important With Braces

Braces create more surfaces and small spaces where food and plaque can collect:

• Around brackets and along the edges.
• Between the wire and tooth surfaces.
• On the gumline if brushing is rushed.

Without careful cleaning, this can lead to:

• White spot lesions (early areas of decalcification around brackets).
• Cavities and weakened enamel.
• Swollen, irritated gums (gingivitis).
• Bad breath and plaque buildup.

The goal is simple: when braces come off, you should see straight teeth without spots or new cavities. That’s 100% possible with good daily habits.

Brushing With Braces: Step-by-Step

We recommend brushing:

• At least 2–3 times per day (after meals when possible).
• For two full minutes each time.

What You’ll Need

• A soft-bristled manual or electric toothbrush.
• Fluoride toothpaste.
• Optional: an interdental brush (little “Christmas tree” brush) to get around brackets.

Brushing Technique With Braces

1. Rinse first. Swish water around to loosen food and debris.
2. Brush the outer surfaces. Place the brush at a 45-degree angle above the brackets and gently move in small circles along the gumline and top of the brackets.
3. Brush below the brackets. Angle the brush up from below the wire to clean the area between brackets and the edge of the teeth.
4. Brush the chewing surfaces. Clean the tops of molars and premolars thoroughly.
5. Brush the inside surfaces. Don’t forget the tongue side of your teeth—it’s easy to overlook.
6. Use an interdental brush. If recommended, use it to clean under the wire and around brackets where your regular brush can’t reach as well.
7. Brush your tongue. This helps reduce bacteria and bad breath.

Take your time—rushing is the number one reason plaque builds up around braces.

Flossing With Braces: Yes, It’s Possible

Flossing with braces takes more effort, but it makes a huge difference in gum health and cavity prevention.

Tools That Make Flossing Easier

• Floss threaders: Little plastic “needles” that help you thread floss under the wire.
• Pre-threaded orthodontic flossers: Special flossers designed to slip under the wire more easily.
• Water flossers: Devices that spray water between teeth and around brackets (a great supplement, but not always a complete replacement for traditional flossing).

How to Floss With Braces (Using a Floss Threader)

1. Cut a piece of floss. About 18 inches long.
2. Thread the floss. Put one end of the floss through the loop of the threader.
3. Go under the wire. Carefully pass the threader under the wire between two teeth.
4. Floss normally. Once the floss is between the teeth, gently slide it up and down along both tooth surfaces and under the gumline.
5. Move to the next space. Pull the floss out, re-thread if needed, and repeat between each pair of teeth.

Aim to floss at least once a day. Even if it feels slow at first, you’ll get faster with practice.

Brushing & Hygiene With Invisalign

With Invisalign or Invisalign Teen, hygiene is easier—but you still need to be diligent.

Daily Routine With Aligners

• Brush your teeth after every meal or snack before putting aligners back in.
• Rinse aligners with cool water when you remove them.
• Clean aligners at least once or twice a day (as directed) with a soft toothbrush and recommended cleaner.

Never use hot water on aligners—it can warp the plastic.

Protecting Your Teeth From Stains, White Spots & Cavities

To keep your smile bright and healthy during orthodontic treatment:

Smart Food & Drink Choices

• Limit sugary snacks and drinks (especially sodas and sports drinks).
• Avoid sipping sweetened drinks over long periods.
• Rinse your mouth with water if you can’t brush right away.

Use Fluoride

• Brush with fluoride toothpaste.
• Your general dentist may recommend a fluoride rinse or stronger prescription toothpaste if you’re at higher risk.

Regular Dental Cleanings

Continue to see your general dentist for routine cleanings and check-ups, usually:

• At least every 6 months.
• Sometimes more often if you have a history of cavities or gum issues.

Hygiene Tips for Kids & Teens With Braces

For younger patients, parents can help by:

• Checking brushing at night (quick look for leftover plaque around brackets).
• Helping with flossing or supervising water flosser use.
• Keeping sugary snacks and drinks as “sometimes” treats, not daily habits.

Our clinical team loves teaching kids and teens how to care for their braces—we’ll coach them at each visit.

Hygiene Tips for Adults in Treatment

For adults with adult orthodontics, we recommend:

• Keeping a travel brush and small toothpaste tube at work.
• Rinsing after coffee, tea or wine to reduce staining.
• Using a water flosser at home if your schedule is busy—it can make cleaning faster and easier.

What If You Notice Problems?

Call Othman Orthodontics or your general dentist if you notice:

• White spots or chalky areas near braces.
• Bleeding gums that persist even with improved brushing.
• Persistent bad breath or unusual taste.

Early intervention can often stop issues before they become bigger problems.

Oral Hygiene Support in Lombard & Orland Park, IL

Lombard Office

Our Lombard team supports patients from Lombard, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Wheaton, Villa Park, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Hinsdale, Westmont, Lisle, Naperville with:

• Brushing and flossing coaching at each visit.
• Recommendations for brushes, floss, water flossers and mouth rinses.
• Close coordination with your general dentist for cleanings and check-ups.

Orland Park Office

Our Orland Park office provides the same hygiene support for patients in Orland Park, Tinley Park, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Homer Glen, Oak Forest, Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox, Lockport.

Ready for a Straighter, Healthier Smile?

Braces or Invisalign will straighten your teeth—but your daily brushing and flossing are what keep them healthy.

If you’re ready to start treatment, or want tips to improve your hygiene during treatment, schedule an orthodontic consultation in Lombard, IL or an orthodontic consultation in Orland Park, IL with Othman Orthodontics.

We’ll help you choose the right treatment—and give you all the tools, techniques and encouragement you need to keep your smile clean, bright and healthy every step of the way.