Oral Hygiene Tips
Oral Hygiene Tips for Braces & Clear Aligners
Keep Your Smile Clean, Healthy, and On Track During Treatment
Orthodontic treatment is an investment — and keeping your teeth and gums clean during the process is just as important as moving your teeth into place. At Oakton Family Orthodontics, we want you to enjoy a beautiful smile and a healthy mouth when treatment is done.
Whether you’re in braces or aligners, good oral hygiene helps prevent cavities, gum inflammation, staining, and other issues that can slow down your progress.
Brushing With Braces
When you have braces, brushing takes a little extra time and attention — but it’s worth it!
- Brush at least twice a day, ideally after every meal
- Spend 2 full minutes brushing, making sure to clean above, below, and around the brackets
- Use a soft toothbrush or electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- A proxy brush or interdental brush is great for cleaning between brackets and wires
- Rinse with water or fluoride mouthwash for added protection
Flossing With Braces
Flossing with braces can be tricky at first, but it’s important for keeping gums healthy and preventing buildup between the teeth.
- Use floss threaders, orthodontic floss, or a water flosser to get between teeth and under wires
- Floss once a day — it gets easier with practice!
- Be gentle around brackets and wires to avoid damage
We’ll show you exactly how to floss with braces at your appointment and answer any questions you have.
Oral Hygiene with Clear Aligners
Good news: If you’re wearing clear aligners, your brushing and flossing routine doesn’t change much.
- Remove your aligners before eating and drinking anything besides water
- Brush and floss after meals before putting your aligners back in
- Clean your aligners daily with a gentle toothbrush and cool water — no toothpaste or hot water (it can warp the plastic)
- Use retainer/aligner cleaning crystals or tablets as recommended for a deeper clean
Clean teeth = clean aligners = healthy smile.
Foods to Avoid With Braces
Certain foods can break brackets, bend wires, or get stuck — which can delay your treatment or lead to discomfort. Try to avoid:
- Sticky foods: gum, caramel, taffy, fruit snacks
- Hard foods: popcorn, nuts, hard candies, ice
- Crunchy foods: raw carrots, apples (cut into small pieces), crusty bread
- Chewy foods: bagels, tough meat, licorice
When in doubt, go soft — especially right after an adjustment!
Pro Tips for a Healthy Smile During Treatment
Keep a travel toothbrush and floss with you for school or work
Drink plenty of water to rinse away food and bacteria
Stick to your checkups and cleanings with your general dentist
Let us know if something doesn’t feel right — small issues are easier to fix early
Questions? We’re Here to Help!
Whether you’re in braces or aligners, we want your treatment to be as smooth and successful as possible — and that starts with keeping your mouth clean and healthy.
Oakton Family Orthodontics — proudly serving Oakton, Vienna, Fairfax, and the surrounding Northern Virginia community
Have questions about brushing, flossing, or food? Contact Us anytime!