Interdental Brushes Make Oral Care Easier with Braces

Posted on May 6, 2025

Brushing and flossing are important parts of any healthy routine, but when you have braces, those steps can be tricky. Food and plaque tend to collect around brackets and wires, making it harder to keep everything clean. That’s where interdental brushes come in.

These small cleaning tools are designed to reach between teeth and around braces, bridges, or implants. At Lustig & Young Orthodontics in Fort Worth, Saginaw, Haslet, and Azle, TX, many of our patients find that using interdental brushes helps keep their smiles cleaner and fresher every day.

We believe that a healthy smile comes from more than orthodontic treatment alone. The right tools and habits make a big difference, and interdental brushes are one of the best ways to simplify your daily care routine.

What Are Interdental Brushes

Interdental brushes are small, reusable brushes that fit between your teeth where a regular toothbrush can’t reach. They have a thin handle and a narrow, bristled tip that comes in different sizes for different spaces.

They are especially helpful for:

• People with braces, since food often gets trapped around wires and brackets
• Those with bridges or implants, where floss may not be enough
• Anyone with wider gaps between teeth

While flossing should still be part of your routine, interdental brushes can remove more plaque in some areas and make cleaning faster and easier.

Why Interdental Brushes Work Well with Braces

Braces are great for straightening teeth, but they create small areas where plaque can hide. It can be difficult to thread floss under wires, which means some spots may be missed.

Interdental brushes make cleaning simpler. They:

• Fit easily around wires and brackets
• Remove food and plaque from hard-to-reach spots
• Help reduce the chance of white marks on teeth after treatment
• Take only a few minutes to use

Many patients at Lustig & Young Orthodontics notice that once they start using interdental brushes, their teeth look and feel cleaner between visits.

Benefits for Every Smile

Even without braces, interdental brushes can help improve your daily care routine. Here’s why:

• They help keep gums healthy by removing plaque before it causes irritation
• They are gentle and comfortable for people with sensitive gums
• They work well around crowns, bridges, and implants
• They help prevent bad breath by removing trapped food particles

Adding a few extra seconds with an interdental brush can make a big difference in keeping your mouth fresh.

Choosing the Right Type

Interdental brushes come in many shapes and sizes. Choosing the right one helps you clean comfortably and effectively.

• Straight brushes work well for most areas
• Angled brushes make it easier to reach the back teeth
• Coated-wire brushes protect dental work and braces
• Eco-friendly options made from bamboo or recycled materials are available
• Different sizes allow you to match the width of your tooth gaps

Your orthodontist can recommend the best size and shape for your smile.

How to Find the Right Size

If a brush feels tight or uncomfortable, it may be too large. If it slides through too easily, it may be too small to clean properly. At Lustig & Young Orthodontics, our team can help you find the right size and show you how to use it correctly. Some patients use more than one size to reach all areas of the mouth.

How to Use Interdental Brushes

Follow these steps for best results:

1. Choose the right size for the space between your teeth.
2. Insert gently without forcing it.
3. Move back and forth a few times to loosen plaque and debris.
4. Clean around braces by guiding the brush under wires and around brackets.
5. Rinse after use and store it in a clean, dry place.
6. Replace the brush when the bristles start to wear out, usually once a week.

Mistakes to Avoid

A few small changes can make your brushing more effective:

• Don’t push too hard, which can irritate gums
• Don’t skip back teeth, where plaque often builds up
• Don’t use worn brushes that no longer clean well
• Don’t choose a brush that feels too tight or causes discomfort

Interdental Brushes or Floss

If you can, use both. Floss can reach tight spaces, while interdental brushes work better for cleaning around braces or larger gaps. If you only have time for one, use a brush at least once a day to remove debris and keep your gums clean.

Interdental Brushes for Kids and Teens

For kids and teens with braces, interdental brushes make cleaning easier and faster. We encourage young patients to use them after meals or snacks. It’s a simple habit that helps prevent plaque buildup and keeps their treatment on track.

Gum Health and Your Overall Well-Being

Healthy gums support a healthy body. Plaque buildup and gum inflammation have been linked to problems such as heart disease and diabetes. Regular use of interdental brushes helps keep gums clean and reduces the bacteria that cause irritation and bad breath.

Lustig & Young Orthodontics: Here to Help You Care for Your Smile

At Lustig & Young Orthodontics, we guide patients through every part of treatment, including daily care at home. Our team provides:

• Tips for brushing and cleaning around braces or aligners
• Recommendations for the best interdental brushes and hygiene tools
• Regular checkups to track progress and keep your teeth healthy

With offices in Fort Worth, Saginaw, Haslet, and Azle, we make it easy for families to get the orthodontic care and guidance they need.

Start a Cleaner Smile Routine Today

If you’ve been relying only on a toothbrush and floss, try adding interdental brushes to your daily routine. You’ll notice cleaner teeth, fresher breath, and healthier gums.

Schedule your free consultation at Lustig & Young Orthodontics to learn more about the right tools and techniques to keep your smile looking its best.