Today the problem of pathological bite is very relevant. More and more people use the services of an orthodontist to install a non-removable orthodontic construction to correct their bite. Among all non-removable structures, the most popular is the bracket system. Today we will tell you how to brush your teeth with braces.
However, after installing the braces, you need to remember about thorough, daily oral hygiene, because braces have a design that promotes the rapid accumulation of food plaque, and therefore pathogenic microflora on them.
People with braces installed, in addition to basic hygiene products - a toothbrush and paste, must use additional hygiene products made specifically for orthodontic patients - brushes, dental floss with a hard tip, toothbrushes, irrigators.
In addition, you need to be patient, because the procedure for cleaning the dental surfaces on which the braces are glued will take much longer than a standard teeth cleaning. And if dentists usually recommend brushing their teeth twice a day, then orthodontic patients are recommended to carry out hygienic cleaning of the oral cavity three times a day.
Mechanism for brushing teeth with braces
Toothbrush
Dentists-orthodontists recommend using a paste containing calcium and fluorine, since dental tissues in the process of orthodontic treatment are more susceptible to carious process, due to the constant adsorption of pathogenic microorganisms. That is why tooth enamel needs to be strengthened as much as possible. Particles of fluorine and calcium help with this. A toothbrush is also used not ordinary. It is better if the shape of the bristles is V-shaped.
During cleaning, special attention should be paid to hard-to-reach places: interdental spaces, spaces between braces, places located under the arches.
Before you start the cleaning procedure, you need to remove all removable elements - elastic bands and traction. Only after that you can start cleaning, moreover, you need to do it carefully, without undue effort, so as not to damage the bracket system.
The movements of the brush, when cleaning the front and back tooth surfaces, should be sweeping: from top to bottom (when brushing the teeth of the upper jaw) and from bottom to top (when brushing the teeth of the lower jaw).
The brush should be positioned in relation to the tooth at an angle of 45 degrees. The chewing surface of the teeth is cleaned by reciprocating (sawing) movements. When brushing, the toothbrush covers three or four teeth at once. Each such area must be cleared, using at least ten sweeping movements.
Dental floss
To clean hard-to-reach places where a toothbrush cannot cope, it is necessary to use a special dental floss. Orthodontic floss has a rigid end so that it can be easily threaded into the right place. And, as a rule, these threads are impregnated with a special strengthening agent. Orthodontic floss is threaded between the teeth and under the arch, and cleaning movements are repeated from top to bottom for each tooth separately. An important point is that for each new section of the tooth, a clean section of dental floss must be used. You can not brush all your teeth with one piece of floss. The orthodontist-stomatologist teaches how to use orthodontic dental floss right after the installation of braces.
Dental brushes and irrigators
In addition to flossing, you can use dental brushes and irrigators to clean the gaps between your teeth. They are much more convenient to use. The brush performs reciprocating (sawing) movements during cleaning. You can also use clockwise motions. A positive point in the use of brushes and irrigators is the massage of the gingival margin, as when using a toothbrush. Massaging the gums leads to better blood circulation in the gums.
It is best to brush your teeth with toothpaste and brush after every meal. However, not all patients are ready to take these hygiene products with them everywhere. That is why additional hygiene products were made. Dental floss will not take up much space in your purse. After each meal, rinse your mouth well and brush your teeth using floss (at least the frontal part of the dentition).
It should be noted that no matter how carefully the patient takes care of his teeth, sometimes a dark plaque appears on the teeth, which is not cleaned off with ordinary hygiene products. In this case, only professional teeth cleaning will help. Today, professional hygiene can be carried out in various ways:
- Cleaning using laser technology.
- Teeth cleaning with ultrasound.
- Professional chemical cleaning.
As the saying goes: "For every taste and budget!"
Orthodontists recommend professional teeth cleaning once every six months.
Food restrictions
A special place in the hygienic care of bracket systems is played by food products.
Orthodontists-stomatologists strongly recommend refraining from taking hard (as it can damage the bracket system) and sticky food during the treatment with braces. Sticky, pulling food is very difficult to clean off braces. Therefore, it is a focus of pathogenic infection in the oral cavity.
Sticky, pulling foods include toffee, chewing gum, and various flour products.
Hard foods include nuts, crackers, dryers, apples, carrots.
Apples, carrots, nuts can be eaten after crushing them. It is better to refuse crackers and dryers altogether.
Also, you can not drink too hot and too cold drinks. A sharp jump in temperature will lead to detachment of the braces and to a deterioration in the quality properties of the orthodontic wire.
If the patient is fitted with plastic braces, the orthodontist-stomatologist immediately informs him that coloring foods and drinks are contraindicated for him.
Orthodontic patients are advised to visit a specialist every month to cover their teeth with fluoride varnish. This is necessary to strengthen the enamel.
