Brushing with Braces: 8 Common Mistakes Teens Make

Braces can work magic, but only if your teen’s toothbrush keeps up. Most teens miss the same cleaning mistakes again and again — and those tiny slip-ups can turn into big problems.

When those braces come off, every teen hopes for a straight, spotless smile. But the truth is simple: even the best orthodontic work can be undermined by poor brushing habits. Most teens make several of the same brushing mistakes, and those slip-ups can lead to cavities, white spots, swollen gums, or months added to treatment time.

The good news is every one of these problems is avoidable. With a few simple fixes, brushing with braces becomes much easier — and the smile stays right on track. 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!

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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 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.

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The 8 Common Brushing Mistakes Teens Make (and How to Fix Them)

Mistake #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.

Brushing Guide for Braces Wearers

Brush your teeth for a full three minutes each time. This takes longer than the usual two minutes because braces need extra care. Set a timer on your phone. Or pick an electric toothbrush that beeps every 30 seconds to help you stay on track. Divide your mouth into four parts:

• Top left side: 45 seconds
• Top right side: 45 seconds
• Bottom left side: 45 seconds
• Bottom right side: 45 seconds

This method cleans every spot well. No need to guess!

Mistake #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.

Brushing Technique for Braces:

Hold a soft toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums.

• Point it up for top braces.
• Point it down for bottom braces.

Make small, gentle circles around each bracket. Go slow—one tooth at a time. Clean the front, top, and bottom of every bracket. This cleans all hidden spots well. At Premier Dentistry in Gresham, we show teens this trick at every visit—it only adds a few seconds but saves big problems!

Mistake #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.

Flossing Tips for Braces

Use a floss threader. It is cheap and simple. Pull floss under the wire. Or use a water flosser like Waterpik. It shoots water and cleans in seconds. No threading needed.

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!

Mistake #4: Why Soft Bristles Matter for Braces

Many teens pick a medium or hard toothbrush. They think it cleans better. But with braces, hard bristles can scratch gums, bend wires, and damage brackets. This causes sore, bleeding gums. It can even break your braces.

Toothbrush Choices for Braces

• Always use a soft-bristle toothbrush. Or pick an electric one with an orthodontic head, like Oral-B or Sonicare.
• Soft bristles clean gently and 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!

Mistake #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!

Mistake #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.

Mistake #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 are always one quick call away at (503) 667-1184. We love helping our teens feel comfortable!

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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 we’re always happy to help!

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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!

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Conclusion: Brushing with Braces

Brushing with Braces: Small, consistent daily habits prevent major issues. Proper brushing keeps your teeth strong, white, and free of cavities — helping you complete treatment on time with excellent results. At Premier Dentistry in Gresham, OR, we proudly support local families throughout their orthodontic journey. Whether you need brushing guidance, a professional cleaning, or a routine check-up, our team is here to help.

Schedule your visit today: Call (503) 667-1184 or book online at premiergreshamdentist.com. We look forward to helping you achieve a confident, healthy smile.

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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!