The experience of wearing braces or orthodontics is unique for everyone, but most people would agree that it disrupts routine and demands a lot of attention and adaptation. However, with the best toothbrush for braces designed to meet your specific needs, you can give your teeth the love they deserve much more smoothly and comfortably. Dr. Farayi Shakespeare Moyana, a dental public health expert in Zimbabwe, says, “One cannot escape the need for regular, effective and efficient brushing of teeth when wearing dental braces. Frequent bracket breakage means additional cost to your orthodontic treatment. Thus, using a quality toothbrush designed for braces and other oral hygiene aids is critical.” Whether your choice is manual or electric, these brushes share many characteristics that make them more ideal for everyday use than traditional ones. For instance, they have softer bristles and flexible necks and offer a good grip. So, without further ado, check out the most effective toothbrushes for braces and have your pick.

Safety Tips When Using A Toothbrush For Braces

Wearing braces demands different adjustments in your routine, the most obvious of which is the way you brush. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind when caring for your teeth.

Pick the right toothbrush (preferably with the softest bristles), toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash to ensure a comfortable brushing experience. Also, consider the width of your brackets. While brushing your teeth after every meal might not be necessary, doing so can keep you feeling clean and fresh throughout the day. Remember to brush at least twice and floss once regularly to maintain proper hygiene. Before brushing, take a few seconds to pick any residue out of your teeth and between brackets with a thorough rinse.

10 Best Toothbrushes For Braces

Keep scrolling as we list the five best manual toothbrushes for braces and the five best electric toothbrushes for braces.

5 Best Manual Toothbrushes For Braces

1. Best Travel-Friendly: Colgate Max Fresh Wisp Disposable Toothbrushes

No matter where you go, this set of 24 bite-sized toothbrushes will keep you feeling refreshed and help you maintain proper dental hygiene. The brush features a built-in freshening bead that dissolves during use, and the toothbrush doesn’t require you to rinse your mouth with water, making it perfect for use when traveling. It comes with soft bristles that gently remove food pieces and other particles around braces or orthodontics, leaving you with a refreshing aftertaste and keeping your breath nice and minty throughout the day. Here’s a video that gives you more information about this toothbrush. Pros

No rinsing required Free of sugar and gluten Available in two flavors Helps with teeth whitening

Cons

Suitable for one-time use only

2. Best Ergonomic: Y-Kelin V-Shaped Orthodontic Toothbrush

If you have sensitive teeth, you could benefit from using ultra-soft bristles that feel easy and comfortable. This V-shaped manual toothbrush is an excellent choice as it features 45-degree nylon bristles that reach every corner of your mouth and help you cleanse your teeth thoroughly. In addition to being flexible, the toothbrush is ergonomic and has a small handle with an excellent grip to allow for a seamless brushing experience. Pros

Does not tangle with wires Comes in a pack of four Food-grade material Orthodontic brackets

Cons

Bristles might be too soft for some

3. Best Eco-Friendly: Ortho-Buddy Orthodontic Toothbrush

If you want to impress your dentist by maintaining the highest level of oral hygiene with braces, this orthodontic toothbrush will help you do just that. With a beautiful eco-friendly handle made of birch wood, the Ortho-Buddy toothbrush is incredibly ergonomic and versatile. The unique, 360-degree bristles clean your teeth, gums, and braces in different directions to give you a thorough cleanse within thirty seconds. Pros

Reusable design Ultra-soft nylon bristles Requires pea-sized toothpaste Tapered handle for better grip

Cons

Might need to follow up with a regular toothbrush

4. Best Flexible: Oral-B Ortho Toothbrush Set

This orthodontic toothbrush set from Oral-B is an indispensable cleaning accessory for those with braces and other dental cosmetics as it allows you to fight plaque and odor almost effortlessly. It comes with the softest bristles and a long, narrow neck that offers flexibility and helps you reach every corner of your mouth with ease. Lightweight and comfortable to hold, this one’s a great option for daily use. Pros

Effective V-trimmed bristles Ideal for children and adults Reaches between brackets Comes in a pack of six

Cons

Brush head might be slightly small

5. Best Efficient: DenTrust Three-Sided Braces Toothbrush

Give your teeth a professional cleaning with this highly effective and unique toothbrush, which has everything you need to get the job done speedily. The three-sided bristle technology allows faster and more efficient scrubbing by reaching all the sides of your mouth, including the hard-to-reach places, at once. And as it seamlessly brushes away debris and odor on the brackets and is clinically proven, this innovative brush is worth a try. Pros

Expansion pleats for adjustability Ideal for different tooth widths Ergonomic and child-friendly design Superior plaque removal

Cons

Neck might be slightly stiff

5 Best Electric Toothbrushes For Braces

6. Best Pressure: Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 Electric Toothbrush

This rechargeable toothbrush for braces by Philips is a popular choice of many as it promises to eliminate plaque by up to seven times compared to a regular toothbrush. Packed with dense, high-quality bristles and a specially curved power tip, you will have no difficulty accessing those hard-to-reach areas and giving your teeth a thorough cleanse. The sonic technology ensures it is suitable for braces, fillings, crowns, veneers, and other cosmetic dental enhancements. Moreover, the brush provides a safe, seamless experience and helps you improve gum health without putting too much pressure on the brackets. Pros

Comes with a replacement reminder Has a timer to indicate the ideal brushing time Two weeks of battery life on a full charge Durable and travel-friendly

Cons

Requires 24 hours of charge after first use

7. Best Multipack: Alayna Ortho And Power Tip Brush Heads

Are you looking for safe yet powerful replacement brush heads to maintain top-notch hygiene? Here’s a pack of 16 professional brush heads that provide precision cleaning around orthodontic appliances. Designed primarily to target bridges, crowns, and implants, the brushes improve accessibility and offer a deep and thorough cleanse every time. Moreover, this is the perfect starter kit for those with braces, as it has been recommended by top hygienists. Pros

Helps reduce gingivitis Compatible with any Oral-B rechargeable handle Lightweight and ergonomic Soft bristles for gentle cleaning

Cons

Bristles may not be durable

8. Best Powerful: Anwiel Water Flosser + Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush Combo

Featuring a thick handle and tiny head that finds its way into the corners of your mouth with ease, this electric toothbrush and flosser combination is an absolute steal. With six adjustable modes that help you remove 99% plaque, the toothbrush has been designed to suit beginners and those with sensitive teeth. It boasts a 30-second timer that reminds you how much time is left for the brushing to be completed, ensuring no gaps in the process of achieving that perfect smile. Pros

Long-lasting battery life Charges in four hours Durable and waterproof Helps whiten front teeth Includes six jet tips and four brush heads

Cons

Might feel slightly heavy for some

Eliminate the most stubborn plaque and debris with the Pro-Sys electric toothbrush, which meets all the standards set by ADA and is recommended by experts. Rechargeable, durable, and compact, the brush is convenient to use even on the go. It has five power cleaning modes, and the ultra-soft bristles provide clinical-level hygiene without exerting too much pressure on the brackets. Pros

Uniquely angled bristles Minimizes power usage Lasts 30 days after each charge Ergonomic and travel-friendly

Cons

Bristles might be too soft for some

10. Best Convenient: Generic Cordless Water Flosser And Sonic Electric Toothbrush

If you want the complete dental experience in one sleek, compact package, here’s a flosser-brush combo to make the choice easier. While the cordless water flosser comes with eight jet tips that target every corner of your mouth, the toothbrush is accompanied by eight brush heads for timely replacement. With an impressive 40000 VPM and three distinct cleaning modes, the brush is powerful and dislodges debris or plaque easily. Also, the floss has a significant edge over traditional models since it is rechargeable and can be adjusted according to your needs. Pros

Battery life of 30 days after a four-hour charge Whitens teeth and improves gum health Has a 360° rotatable nozzle design Can easily last up to two years

Cons

Instructions for use may not be clear

How To Brush Teeth With Braces On?

Adjusting to braces can take time, especially when it comes to basic tasks such as brushing and flossing. Here are a few tips on maintaining oral hygiene without damaging the brackets.

Try to brush after every meal to prevent the formation of plaque and odor. Start by rinsing your mouth to remove any debris or food particles stuck between the teeth or brackets. Use a gentle toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid messing with the wires. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle and apply minimum pressure to rotate it along your gum line. Remember to brush the brackets and wires along with the inner surfaces to ensure your mouth is thoroughly clean and germ-free. Follow with a floss and mouthwash rinse at least once a day.

How To Choose The Right Toothbrush For Braces?

Here are some factors you should consider when buying a toothbrush for braces.

Why Trust MomJunction?

Amrit S is our in-house writer and reviewer who loves to talk about self-care, beauty, and makeup products. He spends time looking for unique products that can enhance his readers’ lives in different ways. Here, he talks about the best toothbrushes for braces that make your smile-enhancing experience less challenging. His review process involves extensive research into the features and benefits of each product, along with aggregating consumer reviews from multiple e-commerce websites.

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