Braces can do a lot for your smile, but they also come with extra responsibilities. Dr. Ryan Hecht helps patients stay ahead of issues before they become problems at Montana Smiles Orthodontics. That includes teaching clear, no-nonsense tips for brushing braces.
It’s important to know what makes a difference when it comes to brushing with braces, and how to keep your orthodontic treatment moving forward without second-guessing yourself, and we can offer this guidance in our Billings office.
Why Clean Teeth Help Braces Do Their Job
Braces apply constant, gentle pressure to shift your teeth into a healthier position. If plaque or inflammation builds up around your brackets or gumline, that movement can slow down, or worse, cause irritation that requires treatment to pause.
Your orthodontic plan is based on progress. If your gums are swollen, it’s harder for your orthodontist to make adjustments. If decay forms around a bracket, it might need to be removed to fix the cavity underneath. That means more visits, more delays, and more stress you shouldn’t have to deal with.
Dr. Hecht helps each patient at Montana Smiles Orthodontics stay ahead of this by checking for signs of buildup or irritation at every appointment. Your daily brushing routine is what makes the biggest difference between steady progress and a frustrating backtrack.
Tips for Brushing Braces
Brushing with braces can feel awkward at first, but it gets easier once you get into a rhythm. The goal is to clean thoroughly without missing those small but important spots around your brackets. Here’s what helps:
- Try to brush after eating, even a quick rinse is better than letting food sit.
- Tilt your brush to reach both the top and bottom edges of each bracket.
- Choose a soft-bristle brush or an electric one designed for orthodontic care.
- Gently clean along the gumline, where buildup can sneak in fast.
- Don’t rush. A solid two minutes gives you the time to get it right.
- Check your brush now and then. If the bristles are flattened or splayed, swap it out.
The more consistent you are, the easier it is to avoid irritation, decalcification, and other common issues that can slow down treatment. Healthy gums and clean enamel make everything work better and get you to the finish line faster.
What About Tools?
Not every brushing tool works the same for every patient. Some people do best with a simple manual brush, while others need a little extra support to clean around brackets and wires. That’s why Montana Smiles Orthodontics keeps a variety of tools and suggestions on hand to help you figure out what works for you.
- Here are a few options that many patients find helpful:
- Electric toothbrushes with orthodontic brush heads for better precision
- Floss threaders and small interdental brushes to get between tight spaces
- Water flossers for a gentler, deeper clean
- Fluoride rinses to reinforce enamel and calm irritated spots
Dr. Hecht and the team take the time to talk through what you need, not what’s trendy or expensive. If something isn’t working, they’ll help you pivot to a tool that does. The goal is to make brushing smoother, not more complicated.
Invisalign vs Braces Cleaning Tips
Invisalign and metal braces both straighten teeth, but how you care for them day to day looks a little different. No matter which one you’re using, staying on top of cleaning is part of what keeps your treatment running smoothly.
If you’re wearing Invisalign:
- Always take your aligners out before eating or drinking anything other than water
- Brush your teeth and the trays before putting them back in
- Use a soft toothbrush without toothpaste to clean the aligners; gritty formulas can scratch them
- Skip the hot water to avoid warping the plastic
If you’re in metal braces:
- Use floss threaders or proxy brushes to clean around each bracket
- Stick with regular toothpaste because whitening formulas can leave uneven patches
- Swish with water or a fluoride rinse to loosen anything stuck between teeth
- Double-check your smile in the mirror to catch anything you missed
Dr. Ryan Hecht always checks in during your appointments at Montana Smiles Orthodontics to make sure your routine is still working for you.
Why Training Matters Behind the Scenes
Good brushing tips only matter if the people giving them know what they’re doing. That’s something Montana Smiles Orthodontics takes seriously. This isn’t a “once a year” training kind of office.
The entire team goes through monthly training sessions to stay sharp, especially when new tools are introduced. Most recently, they’ve trained on the iTero Lumina scanner and the indirect bonding process, which helps make bracket placement faster and more precise.
Dr. Hecht also stays connected with other dental and orthodontic professionals through the Montana Society of Orthodontists and local CE courses. That collaboration makes a difference in how care is delivered in real time.
From using trusted tools like Invisalign and 3M brackets to staying completely digital (no old-school impressions here), Montana Smiles Orthodontics is always working to make treatment smoother and smarter.
Don’t Let Small Problems Get Bigger
Some of the most common issues patients run into are the ones that start small. A missed spot here, a sore gum there, and suddenly, your gums are inflamed, or you’ve got a bracket that needs repair.
The earlier you notice something’s off, the easier it is to fix. Keep an eye out for:
- Redness or puffiness along your gums
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- White spots forming around brackets
- Lingering bad breath even after brushing
Stay on Track with the Right Routine
Clean teeth make a big difference in how smoothly your treatment goes. If you’re not sure your brushing habits are helping, or you’re ready to fine-tune your routine, the team is here to walk you through it.
Dr. Ryan Hecht can help you figure out what tools and tips for brushing braces make the most sense for your smile. Montana Smiles Orthodontics keeps things clear and comfortable every step of the way. Make sure your home care is on point, and reach out to our team and schedule a free consultation at our Billings office.