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Can you use an electric toothbrush with braces?

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In short

Yes, many people with fixed braces use an electric toothbrush, and orthodontists often suggest one. Use a gentle mode at first, keep a light touch so the head does not catch on brackets, and guide it slowly around each bracket from above and below. A pressure sensor helps you avoid pressing too hard. Follow your orthodontist's routine, which may also include interdental brushes or a water flosser.

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Braces make brushing slower and fiddlier, because food collects around every bracket and under the wire. Many people wonder whether an electric toothbrush is safe to use with braces, or whether it might damage them. In general, electric brushes are widely used with fixed braces, but your orthodontist's advice comes first. This guide explains what changes when you brush with braces, which heads and features are useful, and how to build a routine. It does not replace your orthodontist's instructions.

What your orthodontist will say

Orthodontists give each patient a cleaning routine to follow during treatment. It usually covers brushing technique, tools for cleaning between teeth and around brackets, and foods to avoid. The NHS advises brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth, and your orthodontic team can tell you how to do this with braces.

If they recommend an electric brush, ask whether they prefer a particular head or mode.

How to brush around brackets

Brushing with braces takes longer than two minutes for many people, because each bracket needs attention.

  1. 1

    Start the brush in a gentle mode once it is in your mouth.

  2. 2

    Angle the head down onto the top edge of each bracket and hold briefly.

  3. 3

    Angle it up onto the bottom edge of each bracket and hold briefly.

  4. 4

    Brush along the gumline above and below the wire.

  5. 5

    Brush inner and chewing surfaces as normal.

  6. 6

    Rinse the head well to clear trapped food.

Useful features

A pressure sensor is the most useful feature, because pressing hard on brackets is uncomfortable and does not clean better. A gentle mode such as Sensitive helps while the teeth are tender after adjustments. A timer keeps you going for at least the full two minutes. App guidance on some models shows which areas you have covered.

Our guide to brushes with gentle modes and pressure sensors compares models with these features, and toothbrush pressure sensors explained explains how they work.

See gentle-mode brushes →

Which heads to use

Oral-B sells orthodontic heads for some classic handles, with a trimmed centre to fit around brackets. Sonicare's standard click-on heads are often used with braces, and compact heads can make it easier to reach around wires. Check the listing to make sure any special head fits your handle.

Braces wear heads faster, as bristles catch on brackets. Replace the head when bristles splay, even if it is sooner than three months. See how often to change a toothbrush head.

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Four head changes a year: the NHS advises a new head every 3 months, or sooner if the bristles are worn.

Round or oval head?

Both types are used with braces. A round Oral-B or iO head works one tooth at a time and can be easier to hold over each bracket. A Sonicare oval head sweeps along several teeth and can feel quicker along the wire. Try what feels comfortable and suits your orthodontist's technique. See sonic vs oscillating.

Cleaning between teeth with braces

Brushes cannot reach under the wire or fully between teeth. Orthodontists often suggest interdental brushes, floss threaders or a water flosser with an orthodontic tip. See how to use a water flosser with braces for step-by-step technique.

Choosing a brush during treatment

If you are buying a new brush for braces, look for a pressure sensor, a gentle mode and a travel case for school or work. Our best electric toothbrush guide compares premium handles, and our guide to toothbrushes with a charging travel case covers models that are easy to carry.

Looking after the brush during treatment

Braces add toothpaste and food residue to the head and shaft, so clean the brush more often than usual. Rinse the head thoroughly after each use, checking that nothing is trapped at the base of the bristles. Once a week, pull the head off and rinse the shaft and the inside of the head. Keep a spare head on hand, as heads can get damaged on brackets. If you carry the brush to school, college or work, a travel case keeps it clean in a bag. Our guide to how to clean an electric toothbrush covers the full routine.

Frequently asked questions

Can an electric toothbrush damage braces? Used gently as your orthodontist advises, electric brushes are widely used with braces. Avoid pressing hard on brackets.

Which mode should I use with braces? A gentle mode is a good start, especially after adjustments. Ask your orthodontist.

Do I need special heads? Not always. Orthodontic heads exist for some handles; standard and compact heads are also widely used.

How long should I brush with braces? At least two minutes, and often longer to cover each bracket. Follow your orthodontist's routine.

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