So you’ve got a strong oral hygiene routine. You brush your teeth twice a day, sometimes three times a day. You floss your teeth every night and after some meals. You eat a balanced diet to support strong teeth and gums. Good for you!
Now, you’re beginning orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign® and wondering— should I add anything else to my oral hygiene routine? Have I covered all of my bases?
Don’t forget the mouthwash! If you haven’t added mouthwash to your daily routine yet, now’s the time to do it. Let’s dive into why you should use mouthwash and which mouthwash is best for patients in orthodontic treatment at Just for Grins Orthodontics.
Can you use mouthwash with braces and Invisalign?
Yes you can and should! Mouthwash will not damage your braces. Your braces are made of high-quality, high-grade stainless steel materials that won’t rust or corrode.
With Invisalign, you simply remove your clear aligners to brush, floss and gargle with mouthwash. You don’t have to worry about mouthwash harming your clear aligners.
Using mouthwash daily with braces and Invisalign is essential for cleaning out your teeth, cleaning your brackets and wires, eliminating plaque and bacteria, preventing gum disease and cavities, and freshening breath.
Did you know that when you brush your teeth, you only reach 25% of your mouth? (Listerine®)
The right mouthwash can help you reach and clean all of the spaces in your mouth to ensure that no disease-causing bacteria is left behind to fester.
What is the best mouthwash for braces and Invisalign?
It’s best to use an antibacterial, alcohol-free, fluoride mouthwash to clean your mouth, without disrupting your oral microbiome.
Though alcohol is used in a number of popular mouth rinses, it can actually do more harm than good. Have you experienced that near unbearable burning sensation when gargling mouthwash? That’s the alcohol!
Alcohol is extremely drying/dehydrating and rather harsh on the skin and gums. It’s infamous for disrupting the microbiome, throwing your natural pH out of whack, and worsening common oral conditions, like gingivitis.
- It’s best to avoid alcohol mouthwash.
Fluoride, on the other hand, is beneficial for your teeth and gum health. Fluoride is a mineral that helps to prevent cavities and reverse early stages of gum disease (gingivitis) by strengthening the protective tooth enamel. When you strengthen the enamel, you give your teeth the best chance at protecting themselves against harmful bacteria and plaque.
- Fluoride is essential for strengthening your teeth.
So now we know to avoid alcohol and look for fluoride and antibacterial properties. Let’s explore a few of the best mouthwashes for braces and Invisalign:
- Ortho Defense Anticavity Fluoride Rinse
First up is Colgate Ortho Defense Anticavity Fluoride Rinse. This mouthwash is specially formulated for people undergoing orthodontic treatment, and it checks our criteria boxes: alcohol-free and includes fluoride. Ortho Defense mouthwash is approved by the American Dental Association, helps to remove white spots from the teeth, and strengthens enamel to help prevent cavities. It’s easily one of the best braces mouthwashes available! - ACT Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash
ACT Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash is another highly-effective mouthwash for patients with braces. It includes 0.05% sodium fluoride, which is the max amount of fluoride available in mouthwash form. This braces mouthwash option is alcohol-free, approved by the ADA, and uses fluoride. ACT Anticavity wash supports the teeth in re-mineralizing the softer spots on the teeth that are more susceptible to damage. - Crest Pro-Health Advanced Mouthwash, Multi-Protection
Crest Pro-Health Advanced Mouthwash Alcohol Free Multi-Protection also checks all of our criteria boxes. This specialized mouthwash helps to prevent cavities, kills bad breath germs, strengthens the enamel, includes fluoride and is alcohol-free. With a multi-protection formula that kills 99.9% of germs, this mouthwash leaves you with stronger teeth and fresh breath.
Do you need special mouthwash with braces and Invisalign?
You don’t need a special mouthwash with braces or Invisalign, but it doesn’t hurt to choose mouthwash that was specially formulated for ortho treatment smiles.
While wearing braces, it’s best to avoid mouthwashes that have whitening agents in them. Whitening your teeth with braces on can leave discolored spots on your teeth when your braces are removed. Wait until your treatment is over to whiten your teeth without any brackets or wires in the way.
With Invisalign, you can use mouthwash with whitening properties, as long as it has fluoride, is alcohol-free and is antibacterial!
Still have questions about mouthwash with braces?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! We’re here to guide you through your treatment process, from your very first visit, to your last appointment.
If you’re looking for a top orthodontist in Montgomery, Millbrook, Wetumpka, we’d love to meet you! Request a complimentary exam for you or your child today.
