Oral Health
6 min read • By Dr. Kevin Baharvand, Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
Short version: not only can you get your teeth cleaned with braces, you absolutely should. Braces give food and plaque more places to hide, so regular cleanings matter more during treatment, not less. Skipping them is how people end up with white marks or puffy gums when the braces come off. Here's how cleanings work around braces and how to protect your teeth between visits.
Yes, you can, and here's how it works
A dental cleaning with braces looks a lot like a normal one, with a few extra steps. The hygienist carefully cleans around each bracket and under the wire using hand tools and specialized tips, polishes the exposed tooth surfaces, and checks your gums for irritation. It takes a little longer and calls for a gentle touch, but there's nothing unusual about it. In rare cases with fixed appliances, a wire might be slipped out for a deeper clean, but that's the exception, not the rule.
Keep in mind these are two different visits. Your cleanings happen with your general dentist or hygienist, while your orthodontic adjustments happen with us. If you need a dental home for the cleaning side, our sister practice, Tribute Family Dentistry, sees patients of all ages.
Why cleanings matter more with braces
How often should you get a cleaning?
Stick with the standard every-six-months schedule at minimum. Many orthodontic patients do better on a three to four month cleaning cycle, simply because braces make plaque harder to control. If your gums bleed easily, if you tend to build up tartar, or if you're just finding it tough to keep things spotless, ask your dentist about coming in more often. It's cheap insurance against bigger problems.
Keeping teeth clean between visits
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Soft toothbrush | Brush after every meal, angling at the brackets |
| Floss threader or orthodontic floss | Gets floss under the wire between teeth |
| Interdental brush | Cleans around brackets and tight spots |
| Water flosser | Flushes out food a brush misses |
| Fluoride toothpaste or rinse | Strengthens enamel against white spots |
Watch for warning signs between cleanings: bleeding or swollen gums, persistent bad breath, or a rough feeling on your teeth all mean plaque is winning. A quick tune-up of your routine, or an earlier cleaning, fixes it fast.
Straightening your smile? Let's keep it healthy too.
Ask us how to protect your teeth during treatment, or start with a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions
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Why families trust Elate Orthodontics
With over 1,000 five-star reviews across three locations, Elate Orthodontics is led by Dr. Kevin Baharvand, DMD, MS, a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, whose clinical work was recently selected for the cover of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, the most prestigious peer-reviewed journal in the field, and a national speaker on clear aligner treatment. Alongside Dr. Julia Kang, DMD, MS, both Boston University graduates and members of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon national honor society, our husband-and-wife team has been recognized as D Magazine Best Dentist 2026, Living Magazine Readers' Choice 2026 Best Orthodontist in Frisco & Plano, Readers' Choice Best Orthodontist in The Colony, Best New Business by the Chamber of Commerce, Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite, and featured in Orthotown and Authority Magazine.
We serve families through three convenient offices in West Frisco, North Frisco, and The Colony, each staffed by the same trusted team, equipped with advanced technology, and committed to the personalized approach that consistently helps patients finish treatment sooner than expected. From braces and clear braces to Angel Aligners, we offer treatment for every age and every stage of life. We stay in-network with most insurance plans and offer flexible financing to make exceptional orthodontic care accessible for every family we serve.
Need general and family dentistry too? Our sister practice, Tribute Family Dentistry, provides dental care for all ages.
