If you have braces or clear aligners, your hygiene routine can’t be “normal brushing and hope for the best.” Brackets trap plaque, and aligners can hold bacteria against teeth.
Without the right tools and habits, even the best orthodontic treatment can be slowed down by inflamed gums, lingering bad breath, white spot lesions, or cavities — issues that no one wants during their smile transformation.
At Orthobar, we believe protecting your smile is just as important as straightening it.
That’s why we’ve put together our go-to list of recommended supplies for cleaning braces and aligners, along with tips on where to find them.
Why the Right Supplies Matter for Cleaning Braces (and What They Prevent)
Orthodontic treatment adds a few extra challenges to your daily oral hygiene routine.
Brackets, wires, and aligners create more places for plaque and bacteria to hide, which is why having the right cleaning tools makes such a difference.
Using orthodontic-specific supplies helps prevent some of the most common issues we see during treatment, including:
- White spot lesions and cavities, especially around brackets and along the gumline
- Gingivitis and bleeding gums caused by plaque buildup in hard-to-reach areas
- Bad breath, often linked to trapped food and aligner buildup
- Staining and ongoing inflammation that can slow progress and affect final results
The proper at-home care plays a significant role in achieving that polished, Orthobar-level finish by the time your treatment is complete.
1. Electric Toothbrush: Oral-B iO Series
An electric toothbrush is the easiest upgrade with the biggest payoff.
If you’re cleaning braces, it helps remove plaque around brackets and along the gumline more effectively than manual brushing.
For aligner wearers, it ensures your teeth are completely clean before you put them back in, reducing bacterial buildup and odor.
Where to buy an Oral-B electric toothbrush:
- Local: Target, Walmart, Costco, Walgreens, CVS
- Online: Amazon, Best Buy, Oral-B official store
What to look for:
- A model with a pressure sensor (protects gums)
- A 2-minute timer (you’d be surprised how many people under-brush)
- Extra brush heads on hand
Best for: braces, aligners, and busy adults who want maximum cleaning with minimal effort
Orthobar Tip: If your pressure sensor keeps going off, hold the automatic toothbrush with two fingers or your non-dominant hand!
2. Platypus Flossers (for Braces)
Flossing with braces can feel frustrating, which is why Platypus flossers are a game-changer.
They’re specifically designed to slide under the arch wire, allowing you to floss around brackets without the usual threading, poking, or skipped spots.
Where to buy Platypus flossers:
- Local: Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens (availability varies)
- Online: Amazon is usually the most consistent for stock
Best for: braces patients who hate threading floss under the wire
Orthobar Tip: Use them once daily. If you do nothing else besides brush well and Platypus floss daily, your hygiene will be dramatically better.
3. Floss Threaders + Orthodontic Wax
There are two simple tools we consider essential from the very first day of orthodontic treatment. They may be small, but they make a big difference in both hygiene and comfort.
Floss Threaders
Floss threaders allow you to use traditional floss under the arch wire, making it easier to clean tight spaces where orthodontic flossers may not glide as smoothly.
They’re especially helpful if you want maximum control when flossing around crowded or closely spaced teeth.
Where to buy floss threaders:
- Local: Walgreens, CVS, Target, Walmart
- Online: Amazon and dental supply sites
Orthodontic Wax
Orthodontic wax is designed to reduce irritation from brackets and wires, which is most common during adjustment phases when your mouth is still getting used to appliances.
Properly placed wax can make a big difference in day-to-day comfort.
Where to buy orthodontic wax:
- Local: Most pharmacies and big-box stores
- Online: Amazon
- Orthobar: We can provide wax and show you how to place it correctly (most people use too much)
Orthobar Tip: If a spot keeps rubbing after a few days, don’t tough it out — call us. Comfort issues are fixable, and we are here for you!
4. Zima Dental Pod (for Aligners or Retainers)
Aligners get cloudy and funky fast if you don’t clean them properly. And you shouldn’t use harsh toothpaste on aligners because it can scratch plastic and make trays look cloudy.
The Zima Dental Pod is a simple countertop cleaner that helps keep trays fresher and clearer with less scrubbing.
Where to buy a Zima Dental Pod:
- Zima official website (best for bundles and authenticity)
- Amazon (convenient, but verify you’re buying from an official/authorized seller)
Best for: aligner patients who want a fast, clean, low-effort routine
Orthobar Tip: You do not need to use a cleaning tablet every single time. Cold water will do the trick for every-night cleaning!
5. Braces-Friendly Toothpaste: CariFree
CariFree toothpaste is designed to help reduce cavity risk by supporting a healthier oral environment and is especially useful during orthodontic treatment when plaque traps are everywhere.
By helping neutralize acids and reduce cavity risk, it protects the appearance and health of your teeth throughout treatment.
Where to buy CariFree toothpaste:
- Online at the CariFree official website (often the best selection) or Amazon
Best for: braces and aligners patients prone to cavities or white spots
Orthobar Tip: Consistency beats intensity. Use it daily at nighttime and use your choice of toothpaste in the morning. Don’t eat, drink, or rinse your mouth for 30 minutes after brushing at night!
6. Oral Rinse: CariFree
A rinse can be the difference between “fine” and “exceptional” outcomes when you wear braces, especially if you’re prone to inflammation or early decalcification (white spots).
CariFree rinse pairs well with the toothpaste and is an easy add-on to your braces cleaning routine.
Where to buy CariFree rinse:
- Online at the CariFree official website or Amazon
Best for: braces and aligners patients who want added protection beyond brushing/flossing
Orthobar Tip: Use the rinse at a consistent time each day (many patients prefer at night). If you’re doing aligners, rinse after brushing and before putting the trays back in.
7. Waterpik (Water Flosser) for Braces and Aligners
A Waterpik is not a replacement for floss, but it’s an incredible support tool. It uses a high-pressure water jet around brackets, under wires, and along gumlines when you’re prone to buildup.
Where to buy Waterpik:
- Local: Costco, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Walgreens/CVS (usually smaller selection)
- Online: Amazon and the Waterpik official store
What to look for:
- Countertop model if you want power and capacity
- Travel model if you’re always on the go
- Orthodontic tips/nozzles are a plus
Best for: braces patients with swollen gums, food trapping, or hard-to-clean areas; also great for aligner patients with tight gumlines
Orthobar Tip: Don’t start at the highest setting — or you will have to break our bathroom window glass cleaner!
The Orthobar “Quick Start” Kit
If you want the simplest shopping plan, here’s what you should start with:
- Braces essentials: Oral-B toothbrush + Platypus flossers + floss threaders + wax + Waterpik
- Aligner essentials: Oral-B toothbrush + Zima Dental Pod + CariFree toothpaste + CariFree rinse (+ Waterpik if you want next-level clean)
FAQ: Orthodontic Cleaning Supplies (Braces + Aligners)
Should I increase the frequency of my dental hygiene visits?
Make sure you are maintaining your proper hygiene recall schedule suggested by your general dentist. It never hurts to increase the frequency of professional hygiene visits during orthodontic treatment, especially with braces.
Do I need an electric toothbrush for braces?
You don’t need it, but it’s one of the highest-impact upgrades for plaque control around brackets and gumlines.
Can I use toothpaste to clean aligners?
We don’t recommend it. Many toothpastes are abrasive and can scratch trays, making them cloudy and more likely to hold odor.
Is a Waterpik enough instead of floss?
No. It’s an excellent add-on, not a full replacement. Use it to boost hygiene, especially with braces.
What’s the best way to avoid white spots with braces?
Brush extremely well, floss daily, reduce frequent snacking/sugary drinks, and use a preventive toothpaste/rinse consistently.
Ready for a Clean, Confident Orthodontic Experience in Las Vegas?
If you’re looking for adult braces or clear aligners in Las Vegas, Orthobar is your go-to orthodontist.
We deliver specialist-led care with a luxury, concierge approach — plus the exact clear aligner and braces cleaning systems to protect your teeth during treatment.
Call Orthobar today or request your consultation online, and we’ll build your plan, your timeline, and your cleaning setup from day one.
