So you’ve recently started orthodontic treatment and you’re reaching for that bottle of mouthwash when a thought hits you—“Can I use mouthwash with braces?”

We understand the caution! After all, it’s your smile-in-progress you’re protecting.

You’ll be happy to know that you don’t have to worry about damaging your braces with mouthwash! Your braces are made of high-quality, high-grade stainless steel materials or ceramic materials that won’t rust or corrode.

If you choose Invisalign treatment, you’ll simply remove your clear aligners to brush, floss, and swish with mouthwash. You don’t have to worry about mouthwash harming your clear aligners.

Let’s dive into why you should use mouthwash and which mouthwash is best for patients in orthodontic treatment.

Why Add Mouthwash to Your Oral Hygiene Routine?

Braces can make brushing and flossing difficult with brackets and archwires offering many new hiding places for food to fester. Adding mouthwash to your oral hygiene routine can help eliminate plaque and bacteria, help prevent gum disease and cavities, and freshen your breath— all while keeping your braces in the best shape!

Did you know brushing your teeth only cleans 25% of your mouth? After all, your teeth and gums are just a small area of your mouth. What about all the soft tissues of your mouth? Can’t food and bacteria get stuck there?

It sure can! Which is why mouthwash is a game-changing addition to your oral hygiene routine. Using mouthwash daily is essential for cleaning all areas of your mouth and braces—teeth, gums, and soft tissues of your mouth along with your braces brackets and wires.

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.

It’s best to avoid alcohol mouthwash. Though alcohol is used in many 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.

Fluoride is essential for strengthening your teeth. 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.

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 for braces?

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! Our talented team is here to guide you through your treatment process and set your mind at ease.

If you’re looking for a top orthodontist in Scottsdale, AZ, we’d love to meet you! We’re a father and son practice with over 50 years of combined experience in straightening teeth.

Our orthodontists use advanced metal braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign clear aligners to straighten your smile as quickly and safely as possible! A beautiful, healthy smile is worth the wait with us! Get started and request a complimentary exam for you or your child today!