How to maintain proper oral hygiene if you are undergoing orthodontic treatment with brackets

The orthodontics excellent results, however, they may not be what you expect without good oral hygiene habits. good oral hygiene habits from day one. With braces, tooth brushing must be done meticulously, especially in adolescent wearers, so you need to follow a special routine that will only take a little practice. Avoiding certain foods and beverages, and going to every scheduled appointment, will help you achieve a healthier, brighter smile.

Why is it so important to maintain proper oral hygiene with braces?

Brushing your teeth while wearing braces, whether esthetic or metal braces, is made more difficult by the many nooks and crannies where food debris can get trapped, especially around the brackets. If these are not removed with a good daily routine, bacteria end up forming a layer of "dental biofilm", which damages the tooth enamel and causes white spots to appear on the teeth. These are demineralized lesionsThese are signs that the enamel is weakening and will eventually darken over time if left untreated.

Essential orthodontic cleaning routine

Your oral hygiene routine must be strict and constant. You must know how to how to brush your teeth with braces and which accessories are the most appropriate, from the type of toothbrush to the dental floss, the size and shape of interdental brushes and the ingredients that the Mouthwash should contain to protect your teeth.

1. Brush for brackets

There are toothbrushes designed for use during orthodontics that have a V-shaped cut in the bristles. V-shaped cut in the bristles. This makes it easier to clean around the pieces attached to the teeth. Another option is to use an electric toothbrush with a small brush head to better reach the most difficult areas.

2. Dental floss

Flossing with braces takes a little practice, although it will go a long way in removing most of the debris that the toothbrush has not been able to remove. There is orthodontic versions that are a little easier to manipulate.

3. Interdental brushes

You can also add to your hygiene routine the use of interdental brushes, which are smaller and allow you to clean between the interdental spaces. interproximal spaces and around the metal arches. They come in different sizes so you can choose the one that best fits the space between your teeth.

4. Mouthwash and fluoride toothpaste:

After brushing with the toothpaste recommended by the specialist, it is ideal to rinse your mouth with a special Mouthwash for braces wearers. Ideally, it should contain fluoride to strengthen the enamel and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) to fight bacteria and plaque build-up. to fight bacteria and plaque buildup..

With the right products and small changes in your routine, you will keep your teeth just as white and healthy. Among the many KIN orthodontic productsthe ORTHOKIN line offers toothpaste and Mouthwash for braces wearers, available in minted and strawberry minted flavors.

Foods to avoid to prevent stains on teeth

With braces you should pay special attention to what you eat and drink. There are foods and beverages that are best avoided or reduced as they may stain or weaken the enamel. stain or weaken the enamel.

Foods and beverages best avoided or reduced

Is it advisable to use whitening products with braces?

It is best not to use whitening products while wearing braces. Because the product cannot cover the entire surface of the tooth, the whitening is not uniform and you may notice that the color of your teeth is uneven once your braces come off. In addition, some may be too abrasive, further wearing down enamel already weakened by accumulated biofilm. Wait until your treatment is over and request professional whitening.

Tooth care in adolescents with braces

Adolescents are one of the age groups that wear braces the most, and one of the most difficult to maintain good oral hygiene habits. It is easy for them to forget to brush their teeth. Explaining to them why it is so necessary for their oral and general health, will help them to have a more global vision of the benefits of taking care of their mouth. They will see that it's not just about looking good, it's about being healthy.

They must be committed to the routine routine recommended by their dentistTherefore, in the first few months, it is a good idea to monitor their progress until they become accustomed to it. Try not to abuse the foods or beverages mentioned.

Visits to orthodontist and dental hygienist

In addition to a good dental cleaning at home, it is important to comply with the the Indications and scheduled appointments with the orthodontist with the orthodontist so that the treatment does not take too long and to obtain the best results. They will make adjustments, check for areas with accumulated plaque or weakened enamel that need to be treated and give you personalized advice to improve your oral hygiene routine.

It is also ideal to visit the dental hygienist every 4 to 6 months so that he/she can remove hardened plaque, since tartar does not come off with daily brushing, and check for problems that can be solved before they become permanent.

Additional tips for maintaining a healthy smile during treatment

To make it easier for you to comply with the routine, we recommend that you carry a dental kit with you with toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss and interdental brush. If you can add a small bottle of Mouthwash, all the better. This way you can brush your teeth wherever you are.

Drink plenty of water and don't forget to clean your tongue every day with a tongue cleaner or your own brush. Do it gently, you will eliminate many of the bacteria that cause bad breath. Don't smoke and remember to opt for drinks with less coloring and/or sugar content.