5 Best Toothbrushes for Braces According to an RDH in 2024
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Ahh braces; whether you love them or hate them, there is no doubting they can improve our smiles in many ways! From building confidence, to correcting our bites to enabling us to keep our teeth cleaner easier (once your appliances are removed, that is,) braces are totally worth it! While there are many pros to getting braces, it doesn’t come without a few cons…like difficulty keeping them clean, limiting yourself to certain foods and knowing that sometimes they can even be a tad uncomfortable. While you always want to weigh your pros and cons when it comes to oral health care, today we are going to focus on a dental hygiene specifically: keeping your teeth clean with braces. AKA, what toothbrushes are best for braces patients? Trust me when I say, not all toothbrushes are created equal. Especially when you have fixed orthodontic appliances all over your teeth!
Why Are Electric Toothbrushes Better For Braces?
Electric or manual toothbrush? Electric toothbrushes are the Teslas of toothbrushes compared to a standard old-fashion manual toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are able to take the guess work out of brushing your teeth and really do most of the work for you, cleaning teeth effectively. Studies show electric toothbrushes remove more plaque and debris from teeth than a standard regular manual toothbrush. They also often have built in timers that is a great way to keep track of brushing times for both adults AND children. Some electric toothbrushes will even tell you if you are brushing too hard, or where in your mouth you need to focus your brushing (yes, as in which parts of which teeth.) Other advanced options may include tracking brushing via an app on your smart phone. We are really living in the future guys!
Related: 7 Best Electric Toothbrushes
One last thing: if manual toothbrushes are more your style and you just prefer this type of brushing, if you have the proper technique and can remove plaque effectively, this can still be a great option for home care.
5 Best Toothbrushes For Braces
Now that we have hyped you all up for some sweet brushes, lets get down to business. Today we are going to review 5 of some of the best options of toothbrushes for braces:
1. Y-Kelin V-Shaped Orthodontic Brush
Best toothbrush for braces
Let’s start off with the most affordable non-electric toothbrush to get things rolling. The Y-Kelin V-Shaped Orthodontic brush is a fantastically designed manual toothbrush for people with braces. With every purchase of a Y-kevlin manual brush you get a free interdental brush to clean those hard-to-reach areas! How awesome is that? Now here’s the good part…
Key Features
Each Y-Kevlin orthodontic toothbrush has specially designed 45 degree angles to their bristles. I know every hygienist reading this just saw 45 degree angle and was immediately convinced why it was the best option! These v shaped bristles helps to better access tooth surfaces around the braces to keep things clean by adapting to the surface in a more efficient way. Instead of you having to guess at how to angle your brush, the brush angles the bristle for you. All of their bristles are soft enough to ensure they want cause gum or tooth damage AND they are made with safe non-toxic materials.
Final thought
You can order the Y-Kevlin orthodontic brush for about $14 on Amazon. Keep in mind this is a pack of 4 toothbrushes in total, with extra interdental brushes included. With such a reasonable price point, efficient design and effective results, this toothbrush is a great addition to your oral hygiene routine that can work for all ages. Hand’s down, this special toothbrush is an affordable and great choice when looking for one of the best toothbrushes for braces.
2. Burst Pro Sonic Toothbrush
Best Electric Toothbrush For Braces
Burst is another popular option when it comes to best toothbrushes for braces (or without!) Burst is an electric toothbrush brand that can be purchased online, which also offers a subscription deal for replacement brush heads that are shipped directly to your door every 12 weeks, so you’ll never have to remember when to change them out.
Key Features
Burst has a plethora of electric toothbrushes to choose from, with designs for all ages. Anyone with braces would be able to find a brush from Burst that keeps their teeth and braces clean. Burst electric toothbrushes produce over 33,000 vibrations per minute to remove plaque over 10x better than a standard toothbrush. And don’t worry about brushing too hard; the pressure sensor will alert you. Burst electric toothbrushes have super and I mean super soft bristles that are sure to be gentle yet effective for removing plaque and food particles. Burst also claims to reduce bleeding gums 3x more when compared to a regular toothbrush. This is great news for those of us with braces, as it’s common to struggle with gingivitis, gum disease and bleeding—because of the challenge of keeping them clean!
Final thought
Overall, Burst the soft toothbrush is a great option if you are looking for an electric toothbrush that is effective and can help you manage the oral hygiene challenges that come with having braces. And the best part is, Burst's soft bristled toothbrush is a fantastic option for patients without braces as well. This is an electric toothbrush that you can keep after your braces are removed, so it’s a win-win to me!
3. Colgate HUM Electric Toothbrush
Best Smart Toothbrush for Braces
Colgate just came out with its newest addition to oral hygiene care: the HUM electric toothbrush. HUM by Colgate is a “smart” toothbrush that really knows you. HUM is made to guide you, time you, and remind you while brushing to help you improve your brushing routines. If you aren’t intrigued by now, I don’t know what to tell you. This thing takes brushing to the next level!
Key Features
This toothbrush for braces takes smart toothbrushing up a level by connecting to your phone to help improve your oral hygiene habits. While other electric toothbrushes have similar technologies built into their electric brushes already, HUM will give you all the same options, BUT—here’s the kicker—for almost HALF the price of its competitors. This brush comes with multiple modes so you can pick the right one for you.
Final thought
HUM by Colgate is a smart brush that doesn’t come with a hefty price tag but is promised to be just as effective. In 2020, HUM was rated the best overall electric toothbrush by CNET and voted best all-around toothbrush by GQ Best Stuff. HUM can be a great addition for anyone with braces who is looking for the smart technology to help them along the way. You can’t go wrong with this little guy.
4. Triple Bristle Original Sonic Toothbrush
Best Specialty Brush
Now we’re going to kick things up a notch. It’s time you meet the Triple Bristle Sonic Toothbrush. This fancy toothbrush was designed by a dentist, for patients with orthodontic appliances and hard to reach areas. While Triple Bristle makes multiple models of their Sonic 3 sided toothbrushes, today we are going to focus on the Original model.
Key Features
We simply cannot talk about the Triple Bristle key features without immediately diving into the fact that this toothbrush has 3 sides to it. Yes I know, it sounds amazing and it really is. The 3-sided toothbrush head ensures you are brushing the entire tooth surface, especially those hard-to-reach little crevices around the brackets and wires. This brush comes with a built in 2 minute timer and is rechargeable battery operated.
Final thought
This brush easily deserves its spot on the best toothbrushes for braces list simply due to its unique head design. No other brush has the 3-sided design that helps to reach all tooth surfaces at the same time! This brush is a great addition to anyone’s hygiene routine, though especially helpful for those with braces, and even children or older individuals who may struggle with dexterity. This best toothbrush takes the work out of brushing your teeth and truly assists the entire process. Visit Triple Bristle to learn more about their brush designs and other products.
5. cariPRO™ Electric Toothbrush
Best Value Electric Brush
The cariPRO electric toothbrush is made by a company called Smile Brilliant. While you might not have heard of them, cariPRO has been a well respected brand in the dental industry for years. This Company promises you will be satisfied with your product and even offers a 2-year warranty for the cariPRO electric toothbrush because they are THAT confident this will be the best toothbrush for braces.
Key Features
The cariPRO has a multitude of features worth mentioning. You can get a full 30 days from a full charge, making it easy to travel with without having to worry about keeping your charger nearby. With 5 different brush modes there is something for everyone. The cariPRO produces over 40,000 vibrations to efficiently remove all plaque, stain, and food debris from your tooth surfaces. There’s also a built-in smart timer that lets you know when you should be brushing different parts of your mouth and when you are completed with the brushing process. With an ergonomic handle that is comfortable to hold, it’s a top choice for all ages.
Final thought
When looking for the best toothbrush for braces, the cariPRO is easy to purchase, with package deals that are delivered right to your door. You won’t have to remember to go grab new toothbrush heads as cariPRO packages include automatic toothbrush heads shipped straight to you. This feature can be a great option for patients that can get overwhelmed with decision fatigue and keeping up with their toothbrush upkeep.
What Should You Consider When Buying a Toothbrush for Braces?
While all these brushes certainly deserve their spot as one of the best toothbrushes for braces list, there are certain things you should consider to make the right toothbrush choice for you and your family’s dental health needs.
- Brush head types: Ask yourself, do you like electric toothbrushes and have you used one before? This can affect how well you like your investment. Do you like a traditional style or have you been eyeing that 3-sided toothbrush head since I mentioned it?
- Battery life: Is this really important to you? Do you travel often and stress over having to bring your electric toothbrush with its charger? You might want to consider getting a second travel toothbrush OR one that can hold a charge for a decent amount of time. For those that don’t travel, consider counter space at home to charge the toothbrush when you are not using it.
- Price: We all have a budget to keep in mind. While some of the pricier options can certainly be enticing, you don’t have to break the bank to get an effective and reliable electric toothbrush. Companies are making electric toothbrushes more and more affordable as time goes by. There’s something for everyone.
- Features: Are you a fast brusher? Do you know how long you brush in each ¼ section (“quadrant”) of your mouth? Maybe a toothbrush with a built in timer as well as a brushing guide would be best for you! Do you like different modes on your toothbrush or is a basic mode fine for you? How about subscription deals, do you like an automatic delivery of toothbrush heads, or do you prefer to grab them when you’re shopping on your own? These are all great questions to ask yourself when determining what features are important to you when you buy the best toothbrush for braces!
Get Interdental Products Too
The American Dental Association (ADA) advises those with braces to use an interdental brush along with a regular toothbrush for effective cleaning around braces and tight spaces. Look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance, ensuring they're safe and work well. The ADA recommends brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once a day, and regular dental visits to keep teeth and gums healthy while wearing braces.
While we love a good toothbrushes for braces, we can’t forget the importance of interdental care. By that I mean the spaces between your teeth. Yup you guessed, ALL things floss, Waterpiks, and anything else that will help keep in-between your teeth and brackets as clean as possible! These can vary based on dexterity and ergonomics, here are a few of my favorites:
1. Floss
Call me old-fashioned but floss has been around for almost forever and recommended just as long because it really does work. While string floss can be difficult to maneuver between brackets and wires with braces on, there are specially designed products to help make your job so much easier. Products like floss threaders and super floss can be extremely helpful in getting around braces without skimping on your oral hygiene routine at home!
2. Interproximal brush
Wearing braces often means navigating the challenge of maintaining good oral hygiene in very tight spaces between the teeth and brackets. An interproximal brush is an essential tool for anyone who wears braces, as it is specifically designed to clean these hard-to-reach areas effectively. By gently removing food particles and plaque from around the brackets and along the tooth enamel, the interproximal brush helps keep teeth healthy and reduces the risk of tooth decay. Its unique design allows for thorough cleaning, ensuring that those who wear braces can maintain optimal oral health throughout their orthodontic journey.
3. Water Flossers
Another one of my favorites has got to be water flossers, also known as Waterpiks! While they may not remove all plaque build up they can be super effective in removing all that food debris and junk that is guaranteed to get stuck on your braces and wires. You know how when you eat certain foods, like soft bread or crackers, your teeth are covered in the remains of the digested food? Enter water flossers. You can blast off all the unwanted remains of food with confidence it wont sit on your teeth for hours. Some of them even have special little tips designed to clean around orthodontic brackets.
4. Disclosing Tablets
I know, this seems sort of weird to be on the list, but hear me out. Disclosing agents or tablets help to stain plaque and show you where you may have missed when brushing and flossing. This can be a great option for patients with braces as bacteria can hide really well around their brackets. While this certainly does not have to be used daily, it can be helpful to have your hygienist apply it to see where you need to improve your plaque removal, or on a weekly basis to check in with your methods to ensure you are cleaning as best you can. That way you can prevent pesky white spots on your teeth!
Best Brushes for Braces
I hope this list of best toothbrushes for braces can be helpful in guiding you towards the best investment for your oral health needs. Having braces can make your oral hygiene routine that much more of a chore, but that doesn’t have to be the case for everyone! With these specially designed brushes, you don’t have to dread cleaning your teeth, with or without braces. They do a lot of the work for you that a regular brush can’t always tackle. Ask yourself what you value most in your toothbrush, what goals you are looking to achieve with your good oral hygiene routine, and what your price range is. With so many options for toothbrushes today, we’re lucky to have ones designed specifically to keep your smile clean during orthodontic treatment.