Adequate Hygiene Measures During Orthodontic Treatment With Braces

You might be asking yourself, what can I do to guard my teeth against bacteria? The answer is simple, and you might already have guessed it. First, you must practice proper oral hygiene habits to produce mechanical removal of plaque and bacteria with a toothbrush and a flossing thread. Why is it so important to have good oral hygiene during your treatment with braces?

You might not know it, but bacteria are always in your mouth. However, your body has an active mechanism to counteract bacteria development without notice. Saliva acts as a shielding mechanism, balancing bacteria growth in your mouth. Unfortunately, bacteria stick to your teeth, causing an imbalance that, along with moisture, promotes its growth.

As bacteria accumulate, it creates a protective shield named biofilm. The shield acts against saliva’s defense mechanism. Biofilm tends to grow in size producing smelly residues that cause bad breath. Other associated problems might also occur, including gingivitis and tooth decay.

A fun fact occurs when dentists ask patients if they floss their teeth at least once a day. Most patients roll their eyes before answering a doubtful yes. No matter this, skipping proper oral hygiene habits might end in bacteria accumulation and its undesired consequences. So, there are never too many reminders about good oral hygiene care.

You have an idea of the importance of regular brushing and flossing; imagine for a moment how important this becomes when wearing braces. This article addresses essential options to guard your teeth against bacteria during orthodontic treatment from a professional perspective.

Develop a New Brushing Routine During Your Orthodontic Treatment

Braces are foreign agents in your mouth. Braces’ irregular shape is a perfect environment for small pieces of food to stay trapped. When food gets stuck between the braces and wires, bacteria tend to build up rather than in a non-braces case. So, we recommend you take some additional action to have a healthier and cleaner smile.

How Should I Brush My Teeth While Wearing Braces?

We know and understand this might be boring, but you have to add some detailed steps to your customary brushing routine. Therefore, we include a detailed description of proper brushing while wearing braces.

1. Some orthodontic treatments with braces include removable parts like elastics. Remove the elastics before starting your hygiene routine.
2. During your braces treatment, you should brush your teeth after every meal using a soft toothbrush.
3. Brush your teeth at a 45-grade angle towards your gums, in the space between gums and braces.
4. Divide your mouth into quadrants and start brushing in detail the chewing portion of your teeth and the front and backside of each quadrant.
5. Generally, spend an extra minute brushing each quadrant than brushing with no braces.
6. If possible, carry a brush with you at all times. Alternatively, rinse your mouth with water for at least thirty seconds to remove food particles in your braces.

Develop a routine that enhances attention to detail while brushing your teeth. Avoid excess toothpaste, so you have a clear view of residue accumulation. An exceptional piece of advice emphasizes areas in which you notice residues tend to stick. Wash them in a sink full of water with a soft bristle brush for removable braces. Mechanically remove food residues without damaging your appliances.

What Happens if I Forget to Brush My Teeth?

Forgetting to brush your teeth regularly, especially while wearing braces, might cause tooth decay, gingivitis, and other associated problems. Tooth decay causes permanent damage to the teeth forming small holes.

Keep in mind that, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 92% of adults aged between 20 and 64 have had some type of dental caries; try to beat those odds and work hard on your dental hygiene routine during your treatment with braces.

Bacteria and biofilm accumulation causes tooth decay due to continuous snacking, sugary drinks, and poor dental cleaning. Most of the time, symptoms may not be present. However, untreated cavities can cause toothache, infection, and eventual tooth loss. In such cases, treatment includes fluoride, fillings, and crowns. More severe cases may need root canal treatment or extraction.

What Tools Work BestWhat Are the Recommended Utensils for Dental Hygiene While Wearing Braces?

It is ok to feel unsure about how well you carry on your oral hygiene techniques. So here we have listed some non-exhaustive utensils and tools to perfect your oral health routine during your orthodontic treatment:

Disclosing Tablets

Spending money on your health is a wise decision. There are innovative utensils that help your cleaning routine simpler. Disclosing tablets, for instance, are on the top of our list. These tablets dissolve in your mouth, highlighting plaque accumulation, so you can focus on these areas while brushing your teeth.

Electric Toothbrush

There is an extensive array of Electric Toothbrushes on the market. First, though, we recommend an Electric Brush with a Power Tip brush Head. This device’s main advantage is the ease of accommodating the oscillation mode according to the portion of your mouth you are taking care of. For instance, you can adjust the oscillation to lower the speed for sensitive parts like the brackets, wires, and gums.

Self-Threading Floss

What is the most complicated area to clean while wearing braces? Only those who have worn braces know the answer. Yes, the space between the gums and the wires is almost impossible to clear with a conventional floss thread. But don’t panic; you can get the hard part of the thread of a Self-Threading Floss in the space between the bracket and the gums. Then you hold the other side of the thread with your other hand, and voilà, problem solved. You can floss in the same fashion as with a conventional flosser thread.

Interdental Brush

Interdental brushes are one of the most intuitive and practical utensils. They are plume-like cleaning instruments you can easily handle to clean between teeth. They act similarly to a floss thread adding sweeping traction between teeth. They also allow easier manipulation, especially during fixed orthodontic treatment. Interdental Brushes’ main advantage is using them in spaces where the floss thread can’t get. Remember to consult your Onshore Orthodontics specialists about the appropriate brush size according to your in-between teeth space.

Water Irrigator

A Water Irrigator throws pressurized water to an identified area. Pressurized water helps unclog rests of food that are hard to get with other devices. However, a Water Irrigator does not replace brushing or flossing. Therefore, consider that you might use a Water Irrigator as a complementary tool for your daily hygiene routine.

Is It Required to Have Clean and Healthy Teeth Before Getting Braces?

If you have considered wearing braces, it is essential to ensure you don’t have cavities or gum disease. Your Onshore Specialists will help you get on the right path before starting your journey to a beautiful smile.

Before the process begins, you need to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth. Also, before getting your braces, your Onshore Orthodontics specialist will professionally clean your teeth before applying your new set of braces.

We will use a polishing paste on your clean teeth to affix your new braces during the affixation process. First, a retractor will be placed on your mouth to keep it dry. Then an adhesive will be applied to your teeth, and the brackets will be attached. Finally, the Onshore Orthodontics specialist will insert a wire through the brackets.

Set your next appointment with us and start your journey towards the best version possible of your smile!