The Best Toothbrushes for Braces, Tested and Reviewed

Brushing your teeth when you have braces can be pretty difficult: You need a toothbrush that is effective but not too harsh, and you’ve got to get under, in between, and around all those wires, brackets, and hard-to-reach places. Amy James, DMD, of Dr. Amy James and Associates, says braces are like little jungle gyms with many nooks and crannies for germs to hide. She adds that the wires that connect the brackets can get in the way of a toothbrush’s bristles reaching all of the needed surfaces of the teeth. A proper toothbrush for braces will reach and clean all those hard-to-get spaces for better oral health.

We researched and tested popular toothbrush styles, looking for ones that provide a deep, effective clean and do so safely for people with orthodontics. After using them ourselves, we evaluated them for effectiveness, comfort, and value. We then had a dentist from our Medical Review Board review this article for medical accuracy.

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Features to Look for in a Toothbrush for Braces

• Softer bristles: Smooth, flexible bristles are a good choice for your toothbrush, with Cheryline Pezzullo, DDS, a clinical associate professor of General Dentistry & Comprehensive Careat NYU’s College of Dentistry, telling us that soft bristles reduce the likelihood of damage and irritation. Daniel Reich, DMD, director of periodontics and associate professor at Touro College of Dental Medicine, says that when looking at electric toothbrushes, prioritize ones that rotate instead of vibrate for a better clean.
• Smaller brush head: Reich suggests that people with braces choose toothbrushes featuring small, rounded brush heads for their simple ease of use around small fixtures like archwires and brackets. Board certified orthodontist Andrew Fraser, DMD, says that smaller brush heads can maneuver around brackets and wires more easily.
• Angled Design: As Pezzullo explains, toothbrushes with angled necks can be used to access the areas surrounding the braces.
• V-shaped bristles: Pezzullo notes that some toothbrushes for braces use V-shaped bristles to clean around brackets and wires more effectively.
• Ergonomic handle: An ergonomic handle can give users maximum maneuvering in all the nooks and crannies of their mouth. It can also be beneficial for people with dexterity issues. For children, look for a larger ergonomic handle.

Is a Manual or Electric Toothbrush Better for Braces?

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Fraser prefers electric options because the extra power helps ensure that you are adequately cleaning the teeth and the areas surrounding the brackets and wires. Rawdin adds that electric options offer vibrations that can disrupt plaque formation on the teeth, and they can get under the brackets and wires to clean hard to reach areas. Plus, they can offer additional features like timers to make sure that you are cleaning thoroughly. But, it’s also worth mentioning that while Pezzullo agrees with electric options being better, she ultimately thinks that the best toothbrush is the one that motivates people to use it.

What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know

• Stay consistent: Insufficient brushing causes plaque, a biofilm made by bacteria, to build on the teeth. If left untreated, this can cause gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and can cause bone loss around the teeth, explains Rawdin. Plaque, she explains, can also break down the mineral content in the teeth, causing cavities. This is true whether you have braces or not.
• Don’t forgo visits: Just because you will regularly see a dentist or orthodontist during your time with braces, this is not an excuse to skip your regular cleanings and checkups, stresses Rawdin. She says that when you have braces, it can be more difficult to fight plaque with home care only, so it’s important to have professional treatments.
• Take precautions: Every time you brush, be on the lookout for loose or broken brackets, wire damage, gum irritation, and enamel wear, which can indicate you’re using the wrong toothbrush, says Pezzullo. James adds that it’s always recommended to brush before you go to bed (to remove any lingering daytime food particles) and in the morning (when nighttime mouth germs are at their highest levels).

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