Teeth cleaning while braces are in place
The advice provided regarding cleaning braces depends on the type of braces used, as braces are divided into two main types that we explain in the following:
- Fixed orthodontics: It is the most widely used type of orthodontics, and it is resorted to when a person’s teeth need a tight fixation. One of its types is braces, which consist of several brackets linked with special wires and ligaments. Middle tooth from the front.
- Removable braces: It is also called a mobile braces, and this type of braces is not fixed on the teeth, and it is used to solve some minor dental problems such as: simple scoliosis and the problem of finger sucking.
Tips for cleaning teeth can be detailed as follows:
Teeth cleaning with fixed braces
It is very important to pay attention to dental hygiene after installing braces, in order to reduce the risk of gum irritation and tooth decay, which in turn may affect the period required for treatment, in addition to the possibility of changing the color of the teeth and the appearance of white spots around the brackets installed on the teeth in the event of lack of attention to their cleanliness, and it is worth mentioning After completing the orthodontic installation, the doctor explains to the person in detail about appropriate and effective cleaning methods, as well as explains about dental care methods, including the following:
Choose the right toothbrush
The regular toothbrush may not be a very suitable option after the installation of braces, and it is preferable to use the electronic brush as it helps to clean the teeth better and easier. A type whose design allows the removal of food residues from some parts that are not visible.
How to brush teeth with braces
Before starting brushing the teeth, it is recommended to rinse with water for about thirty seconds to help get rid of food residues stuck between the teeth and on the brackets fixed on the teeth. Cleaning around the orthodontic brackets and cleaning their surfaces. The back surfaces facing the mouth and throat must also be cleaned at the same angle used when cleaning the front surfaces of the teeth. Focus should be placed on cleaning the back molars well, as the risk of caries in these teeth increases due to the difficulty of accessing and cleaning them as required. Attention must be paid to cleaning The teeth are at the gum line, where it is considered one of the places where tartar accumulates the most. It should also not be overlooked to pass the toothbrush over the top of the teeth, which is the part responsible for biting and grinding food. It is recommended to brush the teeth in a circular motion to help clean all surfaces, including the back surfaces of the teeth.After completing this step, it is recommended to try to insert the bristles of the toothbrush in the place that separates the orthodontic brackets, where the bristles are inserted from above and moved back and forth, and then repeat the same process after inserting the bristles from below, and it is worth noting that this method does not It can be applied if an electronic toothbrush is used during its work, as this may lead to the bristles getting stuck between the parts of the braces, so care must be taken to turn off the brush before cleaning this area manually, and in the last step of brushing the teeth, the mouth must be washed and rinsed well to get rid of the suspended dirt Which were removed by cleaning, and as for the number of brushing times per day, doctors often recommend brushing them twice a day, and the doctor may request an increase in this number in some cases according to the condition of the teeth and the treatment plan.
It should be noted that cleaning must be combined gently to maintain the integrity of the teeth, orthodontics, and cleaning with sufficient force to remove the dirt stuck on the brackets, wires, and between the teeth. Teeth are more efficient after installing braces.
Wash the toothbrush and replace it regularly
Care must always be taken to wash the toothbrush and clean it well before and after using it. Care must also be taken to remove food residues stuck on the brush to prevent the growth of bacteria. Care must also be taken to replace the toothbrush periodically every three months, as the metal of the braces leads to wear and tear. Toothbrush bristles at a higher rate than in cases where braces are not present.
Flossing
Dental floss should also be used periodically to clean the teeth after placing braces because of its role in removing food residues and deposits stuck in places that the toothbrush does not usually reach, and a special type of dental floss can be used that is customized to fit the braces so that the person can Cleaning between brackets and wires, and it is recommended to floss teeth after eating any meal to maintain dental hygiene and orthodontics, and it is worth noting that the appropriate length of floss is approximately 45 centimeters, and each tooth is cleaned with a new and clean part of the floss, and attention must be paid when Connecting the thread to narrow areas, and making sure to use the thread gently to maintain the integrity of the orthodontic wires.
Water jetting device
After completing brushing and flossing, it is recommended to use a water jet device, if available, to help remove food particles that are still stuck between the teeth and on the braces. An antiseptic mouthwash, such as one that contains peroxyl, can be added to the water used to help clean the teeth. Increase cleaning efficiency.
mouthwash
It is necessary to use a mouthwash that contains fluoride at least four times a day after installing braces, especially in the early stages of treatment, as the mouth is not used to the presence of braces, which may lead to a higher risk of aggregation. Food around wires and brackets and the formation of deposits, and the lotion contributes to the prevention of minor infections that may arise in the gums after the installation of the braces, and it is possible to use one of the antiseptic lotions such as those that contain peroxide (in English:Peroxide) to prevent contamination of scratches and minor wounds that may occur after braces are installed. It is worth noting that using mouthwash after brushing and flossing helps to maintain oral health and prevent bad breath, in addition to eliminating harmful bacteria that hide in the mouth. The use of mouthwash also contributes to the prevention of tooth decay, with the need to pay attention to following the instructions attached to the lotion and the dentist's instructions, and it is worth noting that mouthwash does not replace the use of a toothbrush and floss at all.
Gargle with salt water
The doctor often asks the person, after installing the braces, to gargle with salt water periodically during the first period of the installation, in order to help relieve pain and inflammation in the gums and teeth, in addition to the role of gargling in maintaining the cleanliness of the teeth and mouth, and it is possible to stop gargling with salt water after the braces are gone. Pain and irritation, and returning to gargling again in the event of adjusting the calendar for a limited period as well, as some may not want to gargle with water and salt on a daily basis.
Teeth cleaning with removable braces
As mentioned previously, some minor cases of crooked teeth may not require the installation of fixed braces, and movable braces that can be removed easily can be satisfied. This type of braces is usually known as clear aligners, which are worn for nine months or more. More according to the case, and in this case, care must be taken to wear the braces for as long as possible during the day and while sleeping, as the person must remove the braces when he wants to eat any of the different foods and drinks except for drinking water, and the braces are not put back again until after brushing the teeth well Also, care must be taken to brush the teeth with floss at least once a day.
Teeth cleaning with retainer
After the teeth reach the required degree of fairness, the orthodontics are removed, and the person often needs what is known as the fixation period, which is the period after the treatment period, in which what is known as a retainer is installed on the teeth to prevent their tilt and return to their original place, and the retainer is made of plastic material, Metal wires may be added to aid stabilization in some cases, and this stabilizer is usually removable.
As for cleaning the teeth when using the retainer, the retainer must not be cleaned with toothpaste, but the retainer is removed before brushing the teeth, and cleaning the retainer is of great importance as it prevents the growth of bacteria and the accumulation of dirt on it, and it is cleaned by soaking it in a cup containing warm water and an antiseptic intended for cleaning dentures, After that, it is washed with clear water well before putting it back on the teeth again, and this is done daily or at least once a week, and the retainer must be soaked in mouthwash if it is not placed on the teeth in the mouth, while making sure to wash it daily.
Periodically review the doctor
Care must always be taken to adhere to the doctor’s periodic visit appointments to ensure the integrity of the braces and teeth, as well as to clean the teeth in the doctor’s office every period according to what the dentist decides, in order to preserve the integrity of the teeth and gums, and care must be taken to contact the doctor as soon as possible in the event of a problem In orthodontics, the delay in resolving the problem may cause an increase in the period required for treatment, in addition to the need to adhere to the doctor’s instructions, as failure to adhere to these instructions may lead to a higher risk of some health complications and an increase in the duration of treatment.
Foods to avoid during braces
Some foods and drinks may affect the safety of orthodontics, so it is worth avoiding eating some foods during the period of orthodontic treatment, and in general it is recommended to avoid foods of an acidic nature and replace them with foods of less acidity, such as replacing soft drinks with water and milk and replacing oranges with bananas, and it is often served The doctor provides a complete list of foods that can be eaten during the treatment period and foods that are recommended to be avoided. Here is a mention of some foods that are recommended to be avoided during the treatment period:
- Sticky and sticky foods: such as: chewy sweets, gum, caramel, and toffee candy, because they may cause sticking to the braces, and even pulling out part of the braces in some cases.
- Hard and crunchy foods: such as: raw carrots, hard sweets, ice cubes, nuts, and popcorn, as they may have an effect that may lead to breaking parts of the braces in some cases.
