Hello! Getting braces is a great step toward a straight and healthy smile. We know brushing with braces can feel hard and take extra time. Food gets stuck, and it is easy to miss spots.
If that happens, you might get white spots, cavities, or need to wear braces longer.
The good news is that these problems are easy to fix with a few simple changes. At Premier Dentistry in Gresham, OR, we help families like yours every day. We are here for you from the first appointment to the day your braces come off.
Questions? Call us at (503) 667-1184!
Why Good Brushing Matters So Much During Braces
Brushing well matters even more when someone has braces. The brackets and wires create tiny spaces where food can get stuck, and that can cause problems if it’s not cleaned away. Here’s why good brushing is so important:
- Food gets trapped easily. Braces have small spaces where food loves to hide.
- Trapped food turns into plaque. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that can cause cavities, gum swelling, and bad breath.
- Plaque can leave white spots. If plaque sits around the brackets too long, it can leave white marks on the teeth that may stay even after the braces come off.
- Clean teeth help confidence. Good brushing helps teens feel better about their smile and their breath.
Regular dental checkups at Premier Dentistry in Gresham also help us catch any problems early and keep treatment on track. Our team is here to support families and make sure every smile stays healthy during braces.
The 8 Common Brushing Mistakes Teens Make (and How to Fix Them)
1. Brushing Too Fast
Most teens brush for less than one minute when they have braces. They’re rushing to get out the door, scrolling on their phone, or just tired. When you brush too fast, plaque stays stuck around brackets and under wires. That plaque turns into cavities, white spots (permanent scars), or swollen gums—and can add months to your treatment time.
- Easy Fix Brush for a full 3 minutes when you have braces (regular brushing is 2 minutes, but braces need extra time). Use a timer on your phone or an electric toothbrush that beeps every 30 seconds. Split your mouth into four sections (top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right) and spend 45 seconds on each. You’ll actually clean everything without guessing.
At Premier Dentistry in Gresham, we tell every teen patient: “If you’re not setting a timer, you’re probably rushing.” It’s the simplest habit that saves the most trouble!
2. Missing Spots Around Brackets
Food and plaque love to hide right next to brackets and under wires where a normal brush stroke skips over them.
If those spots stay dirty, you get cavities, ugly white marks that never go away, and sore gums.
- Easy Fix Hold your soft toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Point it up for top braces and down for bottom ones. Make small gentle circles around each bracket. Go slow—one tooth at a time. Do the fronts, tops, and bottoms of every bracket. This gets every hidden spot clean.
At Premier Dentistry in Gresham, we show teens this trick at every visit—it only adds a few seconds but saves big problems!
3. Skipping Between the Wires
Teens hate flossing with braces because regular floss gets stuck on wires and brackets. It feels impossible, so most just skip it. Food and plaque stay trapped under the wires. This causes cavities between teeth, bad breath, and swollen gums.
- Easy Fix Use a floss threader (cheap and simple) to pull floss under the wire, or get a water flosser (like Waterpik)—it shoots water and cleans in seconds with no threading.
At Premier Dentistry in Gresham, we keep free floss threaders at the front desk and show every teen how to use them in under a minute!
4. Using the Wrong Toothbrush
Many teens grab a medium or hard toothbrush because it feels like it cleans better. With braces, hard bristles scratch gums, bend wires, and damage brackets. This leads to sore, bleeding gums and can even break your braces.
- Easy Fix Always use a soft-bristle toothbrush or an electric one with an orthodontic head (like Oral-B or Sonicare). Soft bristles clean gently but reach every spot around braces.
At Premier Dentistry in Gresham, we give every braces patient a free soft brush at their visits—and we’re happy to recommend the best electric ones for you!
5. Not Checking Their Teeth After Brushing
Teens finish brushing fast and walk away without looking. Bits of food and plaque stay stuck on brackets and wires. Those leftover bits turn into cavities and white spots fast.
- Easy Fix After brushing, grab a mirror (or use your phone camera). Smile big and check every tooth. Look above, below, and around each bracket. If you see anything white or green, brush that spot again for 10 seconds.
At Premier Dentistry in Gresham, we teach every teen this 10-second “smile check.” It catches problems before they start!
7. Skipping Nighttime Brushing
Teens get super tired and think, “I’ll skip brushing just this once.” But at night, saliva slows down and bacteria party on your braces for hours. This leads to the most cavities and white spots.
- Easy Fix Make nighttime brushing the last thing you do before bed—no exceptions. Put your toothbrush by your phone charger or set a phone alarm that says “Brush now!” After a week, it becomes a habit. At Premier Dentistry in Gresham, we promise: never skip night brushing—it’s the biggest smile saver!
8. Not Asking for Help When Something Feels Wrong
Teens often feel embarrassed or think “it’s no big deal” if a wire pokes, a bracket feels loose, or gums stay sore. They hide it and hope it gets better. Small problems turn into big ones—like broken braces, infections, or longer treatment.
- Easy Fix Tell your parents or call us right away if anything hurts or feels off. No question is too small. At Premier Dentistry in Gresham, we’re always one quick call away at (503) 667-1184. We love helping our teens feel comfortable!
Tools That Make Brushing With Braces Easier
These simple tools turn a tough job into an easy one:
- Orthodontic toothbrush – Special V-shaped bristles that fit perfectly around brackets and wires.
- Interdental/proxy brushes – Tiny brushes that slide under wires and clean spots your regular brush misses.
- High-fluoride toothpaste & fluoride mouth rinse – Extra fluoride strengthens enamel and fights cavities where braces make teeth weaker.
- Water flosser (Waterpik) – Blasts food and plaque away in seconds—no threading needed.
Come see us at Premier Dentistry! We’ll show you the best tools for your teen and even give free samples at check-ups. Call (503) 667-1184 or stop by 23479 SE Stark St #102—we’re always happy to help!
Parent Tips: How to Encourage Teens Without Arguing
- Easy reminders: Leave a fun note on the bathroom mirror or set a shared phone alarm called “Smile Time.”
- Make routines fun: Brush together as a family, play their favorite song (most are 3 minutes long), or let them pick a cool toothbrush color.
- Simple rewards: “Brush perfectly for a week = extra screen time or a small treat.” Keep it easy and positive.
- Build confidence: Say “Your smile is already looking amazing!” often. Happy teens take better care of their braces.
At Premier Dentistry in Gresham, we love cheering on our teen patients and their parents. Need more ideas? Call us at (503) 667-1184!
Conclusion: Brushing with Braces
Small daily habits really do stop big problems. Brush well every day, and your teeth will stay strong and white—no extra time in braces!
At Premier Dentistry in Gresham, OR, we guide local families every step of the way. Need help with brushing, a cleaning, or a check-up? Call us today at (503) 667-1184 or book online at premiergreshamdentist.com. We can’t wait to see your amazing smile!
FAQs for Brushing with Braces
How long should I brush my teeth with braces? At least 3 full minutes, twice a day (morning and night). Use a timer or electric brush so you don’t guess!
Can I still use regular floss with braces? It’s really tricky and usually doesn’t work well. Use floss threaders or a water flosser instead – they’re fast and actually clean under the wires.
Is an electric toothbrush better for braces? Yes! An orthodontic head cleans faster, reaches everywhere, and does most of the work for you.
Can I use whitening toothpaste with braces? No – skip it. Whitening toothpaste is too rough and can leave permanent yellow or white spots around the brackets.
Food is still stuck after I brush – what do I do? Grab an interdental (proxy) brush or water flosser and clean under the wire. If it keeps happening, call us – we’ll fix it!
Ready to Protect Your Smile? Contact Us
Your teeth deserves the best care. Schedule a checkup or braces evaluation today!
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