After installing braces, dental care becomes more complex and time-consuming. They have to be cleaned more often, using additional hygiene products: floss, brushes and irrigators, otherwise caries or other dental diseases may develop. In this article we will tell you how to care for your teeth with braces.
In this article
- What care products are there for braces?
- Irrigators for cleaning the oral cavity with braces
- Electric toothbrushes with braces
- Which toothpastes are suitable for cleaning braces?
- General hygiene rules after installing braces
Braces are installed for a period of 1 to 3 years. During this period, a person must change his lifestyle in many ways. He will have to give up a number of products and spend more time on hygiene procedures.
Braces are complex orthodontic structures consisting of many small parts. Food debris accumulates in and under them, which causes the spread of bacteria in the oral cavity. If you do not take care of your teeth and eat incorrectly, caries, gingivitis, periodontal disease and other pathologies can develop.
Braces are used primarily to change the bite and eliminate irregularities in the dentition. Usually a person consents to such treatment consciously, understanding what difficulties will need to be overcome while wearing an orthodontic system. He will have to change many habits for orthodontic treatment to be successful. Otherwise, it will not bring any results or even cause harm. We'll tell you what rules related to oral hygiene every person with braces should know.
Features of toothpaste for braces
The leveling plates cover a significant part of the tooth surface, and the wires connecting them block access for complete cleaning. As a result, a large amount of soft plaque accumulates in hard-to-reach areas of the enamel, and sometimes food debris gets stuck. The bacteria present on the surface leads to bleeding gums, bad breath, tartar and tooth decay.
Special toothpastes and brushes are used to clean braces. Hygienic products have increased cleaning ability. They effectively cope with the removal of daily plaque. At the same time, they have antibacterial and strengthening properties. They restore the enamel and make it stronger. Thanks to this, it is possible to avoid many oral diseases or their complications. The brushes also have a special shape. They have recesses into which the metal elements of the plates fit. This ensures uniform adhesion of the villi to the tooth surface.
What care products are there for braces?
With proper hygiene, braces and teeth are cleaned in several stages, each of which uses different care products. A patient who has an orthodontic structure installed will have to purchase:
- a special toothbrush;
- brush for cleaning bracket systems;
- floss (dental floss);
- irrigator.
Each of these means performs its own function. Let's consider their features.
Caring for braces with a toothbrush
An orthodontic brush differs from a regular brush in the shape of its bristles. It has a V-shape with a depression in the center, which ensures cleaning of the enamel and orthodontic structure. The hygienic procedure is carried out in the same way as standard cleaning. First, you need to apply a little toothpaste (about the size of a pea) to the brush, and then clean each quadrant of the upper and lower jaw. Cleaning is carried out by sweeping movements from the gums to the chewing surface of the teeth. This takes approximately three minutes.
CURAPROX Ortho brushes are available for patients with braces. They are equipped with soft bristles that allow for thorough and gentle cleaning of teeth and structures.
How to properly care for braces with a brush
The main danger to enamel is the contamination that accumulates under the arch of the orthodontic structure, that is, between the braces and the teeth. You need to remove plaque and bacteria in this area using brushes: Curaprox CPS 10, Biorepair Scovolini Interdentali Cilindrici, etc.
The procedure for cleaning the braces system using this product should be carried out daily after standard brushing of the teeth.
Cleaning your braces with dental floss
Flosses are recommended for use by all people after every meal, especially fibrous ones, such as meat, oranges, etc. This avoids the development of interdental caries. Regular dental floss is not suitable for caring for teeth after braces are installed. For such patients, special flosses with a hard end are produced (Mirafloss implant chx). They do not fray or tear when in contact with metal structural elements.
Rinse aids
Rinses are also suitable for daily dental care, regardless of whether you have braces or not, but after they are installed, it is advisable to keep a small bottle of disinfectant with you at all times. Rinsing is done after every meal. You can purchase a special Biorepair Mouthwash kit, which is convenient to take with you on the road. This product reduces gum sensitivity, strengthens enamel and destroys bacteria.
Types of toothpastes for braces
Products can be divided into two main categories:
- Hygienic. Designed to clean the enamel surface. Its formulation contains mild but effective abrasives. They thoroughly clean off the plaque that forms on the surface every day. Such products should be used by people without oral diseases. Most often, the products have a gel consistency, and their base is silicon oxide. Thanks to this, the composition foams easily and has a pleasant taste.
- Therapeutic and prophylactic. They contain additional substances that solve current oral problems. They can be complex or targeted. In the first case, the recipe is based on several active ingredients. In the second - on one.
Depending on the direction of action, the following types of therapeutic and prophylactic agents are distinguished:
- Anti-inflammatory. Most often they are based on herbal extracts that relieve swelling, stop bleeding and heal wounds.
- Anticarious. Neutralizes the acidic environment in the oral cavity. They restore the enamel surface, making it stronger and thicker. Thanks to this, it is possible to significantly reduce the likelihood of caries.
- Sorptive. Eliminates bad breath. This is achieved by neutralizing the negative bacterial environment, which is especially important in the presence of braces.
- Whitening. They eliminate not only soft, but also hard plaque. If the formulation contains powerful abrasive components, they can cope with tartar. Such means have to be used in case of insufficient oral hygiene during the initial period of wearing the plates. Active substances carefully soften fossilized deposits and remove them from the surface.
Features of the composition of toothpastes for braces
Let's look at the components typical for such hygiene products. Let's look at the features of their action and application.
- Abrasives. They are responsible for the effectiveness of plaque removal. Coarse particles make the cleaning process easier and more productive. At the same time, frequent use of products with large abrasive substances leads to damage to the enamel. You should use such products with caution if your teeth are sensitive. A properly selected composition thoroughly cleans the surface and gives it shine without negative consequences.
- Fluorides. Helps prevent caries. Fluoride makes the tooth stronger and protects it from destruction by an acidic environment. In this case, you need to be very careful with the dosage. Excessive fluoride content can negatively affect health, leading to fluorosis and bone problems. At the first stage of wearing braces, it is better to avoid fluoride-containing medications. They negatively affect the adhesion of the plates to the enamel.
- Enzymes. Increases foaming of the product. With prolonged cleaning, hard plaque is softened and removed without damaging the enamel. Even in hard-to-reach places, you remove dirt in just one movement.
- Bleaching agents. Most often based on the action of peroxides. Unlike abrasives, they work on the basis of chemical bleaching. Active components penetrate the enamel structure and lighten it. When using braces, it is better to avoid such components. Chemical elements cannot affect the surface under the plate. After removing it, dark spots remain on the teeth.
When choosing hygiene products, you can rely on the recommendations given. But the frequency and intensity of use of therapeutic and prophylactic compositions is best agreed with the dentist.
General hygiene rules after installing braces
We list the general rules that every patient must follow after installing braces:
- Brush your teeth 2-3 times a day, and after each meal, clean your braces with a brush and rinse your mouth.
- As an additional hygiene product, use an oral irrigator.
- Stop smoking, which causes plaque and tartar to form on your teeth more quickly.
- Visit your dentist regularly. The frequency of visits is determined by the doctor based on the condition of the teeth.
Also, when wearing braces, you will have to reconsider your nutrition system:
- It is worth giving up sticky and viscous foods: toffees, nougat, chewing gum. Such products stick to the metal structure, get stuck between the teeth and cause active proliferation of cariogenic bacteria.
- Solid foods should only be eaten in crushed form. Biting off tough meat, a piece of apple, etc., can damage the braces or move them to the side, which will lead to improper correction of the jaw.
- It is necessary to observe the temperature regime of the products: they should not be too cold or too hot.
- It is recommended to reduce the consumption of coffee and tea, which contribute to the formation of plaque. It is also better to completely abstain from alcohol, which leads to dryness of the oral mucosa, which can cause injury from braces.
If you follow these rules and carefully care for your braces, there will be no problems with your teeth during orthodontic treatment. All listed hygiene products can be purchased in our online store.
Features of applying toothpastes
Most often, the formulation contains plaque softening substances. They don't work right away. Therefore, for effective operation, it is recommended to increase the cleaning duration to 5 minutes.
For effective cleaning you need to use special devices:
- Recessed brush. Helps thoroughly clean the front surface of the tooth. The latches of the braces fit into the grooves, allowing the bristles to fit tightly to the enamel.
- Cleaners. They are metal rods with silicone hairs. Serve to remove food debris from the interdental space and connecting elements of braces.
- Mono beams. They make it possible to target areas that are difficult to reach with a brush.
Irrigators for cleaning the oral cavity with braces
An irrigator is a device that, by supplying water under pressure, allows you to clean the oral cavity of bacteria and food debris. These devices do a good job of cleaning hard-to-reach areas - interdental spaces. Irrigators can be used as an additional tool, and not as an alternative to a regular brush, brush and threads.
Dentists advise cleaning teeth and braces with an irrigator 2-3 times a week. The advantage of the device is that it allows you to reduce the time of the hygiene procedure. The irrigator can be used in conjunction with rinses.
There are two types of irrigators:
- Stationary: equipped with a large reservoir for liquid and equipped with several attachments, including those for caring for braces. Such devices are suitable for home use. Popular models: Little Doctor International Ltd Aquajet LD-A7, Donfeel Donfeel OR-820D Compact, Revyline RL 100.
- Portable: you can take it with you on trips, to work, etc. Such irrigators have less power and have a small reservoir for liquid, but they are compact: Donfeel Donfeel OR-888, Panasonic EW-1411, Revyline RL 200XL.
When buying an irrigator for the whole family, choose your own nozzle for each one.
Rating of the best toothpastes for braces
Dentaid Vitis Orthodontic
A special orthodontic product is designed to thoroughly clean teeth. It contains components that prevent the accumulation of plaque on the surface, remove it and prevent the appearance of caries. Restorative substances help to revive tissues damaged by a brush.
The active formula includes additional medicinal components. Cetylpyridinium chloride neutralizes pathogenic bacteria. Aloe vera preserves gums. Sodium fluoride strengthens hard tissues, preventing the appearance of carious lesions.
Pierrot Natural Freshness
Products of Spanish origin are based on natural substances. Soft abrasive particles clean plaque even in hard-to-reach places. Antibacterial components neutralize negative microflora, preventing the development of diseases.
Due to the presence of fluoride in the formulation, the product is excellent for people with hypersensitive teeth. Fluoride-containing components restore them and prevent the occurrence of caries. Mint extract eliminates unpleasant odors, giving freshness to your breath.
ROCS Pro Brackets & Ortho
Toothpaste for cleaning braces from the Swiss brand Rox is designed for the care and restoration of teeth during orthodontic treatment. Thanks to the peculiarities of the composition, the product makes it possible to avoid the negative consequences of wearing braces.
Poteolytic enzyme softens plaque with each cleaning, allowing it to be quickly removed from the surface. Xylitol restores hard tissues, preserving them from caries. Minerals fill the tooth structure with missing microelements, giving it natural strength.
Professor Persin
The products of the Russian brand were created specifically to solve oral problems during orthodontic treatment. Abrasives remove daily plaque deposits. Antibacterial components normalize microflora.
Thanks to the presence of sodium fluoride in the formula, it is possible to strengthen the surface of hard tissues. It is reliably protected from caries. Aloe vera extract prevents the appearance of inflammatory processes. The periodontium retains its original structure.
Biorepair Junior
The hygiene product is intended for children aged 7 to 13 years. Silicon and titanium dioxide gently but thoroughly cleans the surface. The restorative elements are identical in structure to the hard tissues of the tooth. This allows you to strengthen them and counteract the development of caries.
The aromatic components have a pleasant strawberry taste. They eliminate unpleasant odors in the mouth and make the hygiene process more enjoyable. Icelandic moss extract fights pathogenic bacteria. Thanks to its action, the natural microflora of the oral cavity is preserved.
The correct choice and use of toothpaste for braces guarantees high-quality hygiene and the absence of negative consequences after orthodontic procedures.
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