When one of my kids started orthodontic treatment, the orthodontist handed us a very specific shopping list. Not just “buy a soft toothbrush” — they were precise about which brush, which interdental tools, and how to use them around brackets and wires. It turns out that oral hygiene with braces isn’t just about brushing more carefully. You need different tools entirely.
I’m sharing what we were told, what we’ve been using, and what’s actually worked — because if you’re spending CHF 5,000–10,000 on braces in Switzerland, the last thing you want is cavities or white spots forming underneath the brackets because you were using the wrong brush.
Why normal toothbrushes don’t work with braces
A standard toothbrush — even a good one — can’t properly clean around orthodontic brackets and wires. The brackets create tiny shelves above and below them where food and plaque accumulate, and the wire connecting them blocks the bristles from reaching the tooth surface in between. If that plaque isn’t removed daily, you get decalcification (those chalky white spots that appear on teeth after braces come off), cavities, and inflamed gums.
This is why orthodontists in Switzerland are specific about the tools they recommend. It’s not upselling — it’s because the wrong brush literally undermines the treatment you’re paying thousands of francs for.
The brushes Swiss orthodontists recommend
The daily brush: Curaprox CS 5460 Ortho
This is what our orthodontist recommended, and it’s the one you’ll hear mentioned most often in Swiss practices. It’s the orthodontic version of the standard Curaprox CS 5460 — same 5,460 ultra-soft Curen filaments, same compact head, but with a V-shaped groove cut into the centre of the bristles.
That groove is the key feature. It wraps around the brackets and wire, allowing the bristles on either side to clean above and below the bracket simultaneously. You brush along the wire in gentle circular motions, and the V-trim does the work of getting into the spaces that a flat brush head misses completely.
It costs about CHF 7–8 (same as the regular CS 5460) and should be replaced every two to three months — braces wear bristles down faster than usual.
Why this and not a regular soft brush? We tried using a standard Curaprox CS 5460 at first, thinking it would be fine since it’s already ultra-soft. It wasn’t. The flat bristle profile just slides over the top of brackets without properly cleaning around them. The Ortho version made an immediately noticeable difference.
The precision brush: Curaprox CS 1006 or CS 1009 Single
This is the tool that most people don’t know about until their orthodontist shows them. It’s a single-tuft brush — essentially a tiny, pointed cluster of bristles on a handle. You use it to clean along the gumline above the brackets, around individual brackets, and in any spot where the main brush can’t reach.
Think of it as a detail brush. The main ortho toothbrush does the general cleaning; the single-tuft brush does the precision work. It takes an extra minute or two, but our orthodontist was emphatic: “This is what prevents the problems I see in patients who only use a regular brush.”
It costs about CHF 5–6 and lasts around two months.
The wire cleaners: Curaprox CPS Interdental Brushes
Interdental brushes are essential with braces — arguably more important than floss, which is extremely difficult to use with fixed brackets anyway. These small, cone-shaped brushes slide under the wire and between the brackets to remove food and plaque from the spaces between teeth.
Curaprox makes a range of sizes (colour-coded), and your orthodontist or hygienist will tell you which sizes fit your gaps. For braces, the CPS 14 (cone-shaped) and CPS 18 are specifically designed to fit under orthodontic wires.
A pack of five costs CHF 7.50–9.50. They last about a week each with daily use, so budget for roughly CHF 8–10 per month.
The travel kit: Curaprox Ortho Travel Set
If your kid is at school or travelling, Curaprox makes an ortho-specific travel set that includes a compact ortho toothbrush (with replaceable heads), interdental brushes, and a small toothpaste. It’s about CHF 25 and surprisingly well thought out — my kid keeps one in their school bag.
What about electric toothbrushes?
Electric toothbrushes can work with braces, but with caveats. An oscillating head (like Oral-B’s round-head models) needs to be used carefully — the rotating motion can catch on wires if you’re not paying attention. Sonic toothbrushes (like the Curaprox Hydrosonic or Philips Sonicare) are generally safer because the vibration is linear, not rotational, so there’s less risk of snagging.
That said, our orthodontist’s advice was straightforward: “A manual Curaprox Ortho with proper technique is better than an electric brush with lazy technique.” The tool matters less than the discipline of spending three to four minutes, twice a day, methodically cleaning around every bracket.
If your child prefers electric, look for a model with a sensitive or ortho mode that reduces power, and use a small brush head.
What about Invisalign?
If your child is on Invisalign rather than fixed braces, the brushing situation is simpler. Because the aligners are removable, you brush your teeth normally — no brackets or wires to navigate. A standard Curaprox CS 5460 works perfectly.
The additional task is cleaning the aligners themselves. Rinse them every time you remove them, brush them gently with a soft brush (a separate one, not your tooth brush), and avoid hot water (it warps the plastic). Curaprox makes an Aligner Foam that’s designed for this, though warm water and a gentle brush works fine for daily cleaning.
The cost of keeping teeth clean with braces
Let’s add it up, because this is ConnectADoc and everything comes back to money:
Monthly cost of the full braces hygiene kit:
- Curaprox CS 5460 Ortho (replace every 2–3 months): ~CHF 3/month
- Curaprox CS 1006 single-tuft brush (replace every 2 months): ~CHF 3/month
- Curaprox CPS interdental brushes: ~CHF 8–10/month
- Elmex or Meridol toothpaste: ~CHF 2/month
Total: roughly CHF 16–18 per month, or about CHF 200 per year.
That might sound like a lot for oral hygiene products. But compare it to what happens if hygiene fails during orthodontic treatment: fillings on newly straightened teeth (CHF 200–400 each), treatment for decalcification or white spots, extended treatment time because of gum problems, and in the worst cases, brackets needing to be removed early because of decay underneath.
One filling costs more than a year’s worth of proper brushing tools. Prevention wins again.
What to ask your orthodontist
Every mouth is different, and your orthodontist should give you personalised recommendations at the start of treatment. But here are the questions worth asking:
“Which specific brush do you recommend for my child’s braces?” — Get the exact product, not just “a soft brush.”
“Which interdental brush sizes do we need?” — They’ll check the spacing and tell you the right colour-coded sizes.
“How should we adjust the routine for the first week?” — Gums are often sore after brackets are fitted, and the brushing technique may need to be gentler initially.
“How often should we come in for a hygiene appointment during treatment?” — Many orthodontists recommend every three to four months rather than the usual six, because plaque builds up faster with braces.
“Will our supplementary dental insurance cover extra hygiene sessions?” — If your plan covers dental hygiene, check whether more frequent appointments during orthodontic treatment are reimbursed. Some insurers cover this; others cap the number of sessions per year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best toothbrush for braces in Switzerland? The Curaprox CS 5460 Ortho is the most widely recommended by Swiss orthodontists. Its V-shaped bristle groove is specifically designed to clean around brackets and wires. Pair it with a single-tuft brush and interdental brushes for complete cleaning.
How often should you change your toothbrush with braces? Every two to three months — more frequently than usual, because brackets wear down bristles faster. If the bristles are splaying before the two-month mark, replace it sooner.
Can you use an electric toothbrush with braces? Yes, but sonic models are generally safer than oscillating ones. Use a sensitive mode and a small brush head. Manual brushing with a specialised ortho brush and proper technique is equally effective.
How much does it cost to maintain oral hygiene with braces? About CHF 16–18 per month for the full kit (ortho toothbrush, single-tuft brush, interdental brushes, and toothpaste). That’s roughly CHF 200 per year — far less than the cost of treating preventable problems caused by poor hygiene during treatment.
Are interdental brushes better than floss with braces? Yes, for most people. Flossing with fixed braces requires a threader and takes significantly longer. Interdental brushes slide under the wire and clean between brackets much more efficiently. Your orthodontist can recommend the right sizes.
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