How to care for your teeth and gums while wearing braces

As a trusted provider of private dentistry in Blackburn, one of the biggest joys of our job is helping people achieve the smile they’ve always wanted. From Invisalign Clear Braces to Incognito Lingual Braces, our range of treatments has been transforming teeth for over 20 years now, restoring our patients’ confidence with discreet, premium solutions and expert advice. Whether you’ve just had braces fitted or you’ve been wearing them for a while, good hygiene is absolutely key to smooth treatment and a beautiful, lasting smile. Let’s dive into what you need to know!

Why do braces need extra attention?

If there’s one thing that food and bacteria love, it’s a cosy little place to hide – and braces give them plenty of areas to set up camp! Even the best brushing can miss sneaky spots around brackets or wires, causing plaque that can irritate your gums, leave stains, or cause cavities.

Removable options like Invisalign also need close attention. Because aligners sit snugly against your teeth for hours every day, they can trap tiny bits of food and bacteria. Again, this can result in a buildup of plaque, which can lead to problems like white spots, cavities, or gum irritation down the line.

What you need to know about braces care

You definitely don’t want any unwanted surprises while your smile is getting its makeover, but the good news is that keeping your teeth healthy with braces is actually easily manageable. Different braces come with different cleaning routines, so it’s worth knowing exactly what to do for your smile. Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of braces, what they are, and the best ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy while wearing them.

Invisalign

Invisalign braces are clear aligners, custom-made to gently guide your teeth into place without the need for wires or brackets. Because they’re removable, they’re one of the easiest brace options to keep clean, but that doesn’t mean they’re a ‘set and forget’ solution. As we mentioned earlier, they perfectly hug your teeth, creating a sealed space that’s perfect for bacteria but bad for your oral health.

Here’s how to keep your smile clean:

• Remove your aligners before eating or drinking to avoid staining.
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride-based toothpaste, flossing at least once a day.
• Rinse your aligners with lukewarm water every time you take them out; clean them daily with a soft toothbrush, toothpaste and warm water.

Incognito Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are essentially titanium brackets fixed behind your teeth. This makes them practically invisible, a brilliant choice if you want a discreet way to straighten your smile. The tricky part is that, because they sit on the inside surfaces of your teeth, they can be harder to see and reach when cleaning. That means that plaque and food particles can sneak into spots you might not notice, so it’s worth dedicating a bit of extra care to your hygiene routine.

• Brush carefully with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush; tilt it at about 45 degrees toward your gums to reach the brackets behind your teeth, sweeping along both the top and bottom edges to clean your gums and tooth surfaces thoroughly. With lingual braces, we recommend brushing after every meal/ snack.
• Use interdental brushes to reach the areas between the wires and your teeth where plaque can hide.
• Consider using a water flosser to flush out debris from spots that are difficult to clean with regular floss.
• Regularly visit your Blackburn dentist for monitoring and professional cleaning to make sure everything stays on track.

Tooth-coloured braces

Tooth-coloured braces or ‘ceramic braces’ are attached to the front of your teeth and are designed to blend in, making them less noticeable than traditional metal braces. While they’re easier to clean than lingual braces, they do require care to prevent staining and maintain gum health. Tips for keeping them looking great include:

• Brush carefully around each bracket using a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush. Again, tilt the brush at a 45-degree angle towards the gums, being careful not to scrub too hard – ceramic brackets are strong, but they can chip if treated roughly.
• Use a water flosser to reach between teeth and under the wires. You can also use interdental brushes to remove plaque without putting too much pressure on the brackets.
• Check with your dentist before using tooth-whitening products, as they could leave you with uneven colouring once you get your braces taken off.
• Avoid staining foods like curry, coffee, or berries, as ceramic brackets can discolour over time.

Eating well with braces

What you eat can have a big impact on how your braces work and how your teeth feel. Certain foods can sneak around brackets and get stuck under wires, potentially leading to plaque and stains, or even breaking your braces. Luckily, being careful doesn’t mean giving up your favourite foods. A few smart choices can keep your teeth, gums, and braces happy, make cleaning easier, and help your smile look its best when your braces finally come off.

Foods to avoid

• Sticky or chewy sweets – things like caramel, toffee, gummies, and chewing gum can stick to brackets and wires, or get trapped under Invisalign aligners.
• Hard foods – nuts, popcorn, ice, or hard sweets can bend wires, chip ceramic brackets, or dislodge brackets entirely.
• Crunchy or crumbly snacks – things like crisps, crackers and some cereals can lodge around brackets and wires, making cleaning tricky.

Braces-friendly alternatives

• Soft fruit and cooked vegetables – these are gentle on brackets and easy to chew and clean away.
• Pasta, rice, and tender grains – filling and easy to eat without putting stress on your braces.
• Yoghurts and smoothies – great for calcium and protein!
• Cheese cubes – soft, protein-rich, and gentle on braces.
• Puffed rice cakes or soft crackers – top with peanut butter, avocado or cream cheese for a tasty snack.
• Yoghurt-covered raisins or soft dried fruit – just make sure they’re soft and not chewy or hard.

Always attend regular check-ups

Even if you’re staying on top of your oral hygiene and making smart decisions with food, popping in to see your Blackburn dentist regularly makes a big difference.
At AP Smilecare, we use regular checkups to make sure your smile is developing as planned. Whether we need to check your Invisalign progress or make sure your lingual braces are clean and comfortable, we’re here to guide you through every step of the way, and we’re proud to make visits relaxed and straightforward.

Those are the key points covered! With a few simple habits, you can keep your teeth and gums happy, all with the help of our first-class treatment options and outstanding patient care. So, if you’re looking for experienced private dentistry in Blackburn, we’re here to make your braces journey easy and enjoyable. As Blackburn’s number one dental practice, our team of experts take the stress out of orthodontic care, so you can focus on seeing your smile transform. Call us today on 01254 297 000 or take a look at our website to see how braces can boost your confidence.