Toothbrush for braces: which brushes are better, can you clean them with an electric one?

Is it necessary to carry out hygienic cleaning before installing braces?

If there is evidence for this, then it is necessary, since braces must be installed on clean enamel. It is important that there is no accumulation of plaque underneath them, otherwise caries may develop under the braces. In addition, if there is a lot of plaque, it will be difficult to remove it with braces - it is better to do this before the system is fixed.

However, if you have recently had dental hygiene, it is better to postpone the procedure a little and go through it 2-3 months after installing the braces system - it will be much more effective.

How often to change toothbrushes for braces

Orthodontic brushes should be replaced every two months, even if the appearance is still the same. Over time, deposits and bacteria begin to accumulate between the villi. They can end up in the mouth and cause tooth decay or gum disease.

The attachments for electric brushes are changed every 3-4 months. Some models have blue indicator bristles. If they turn white, it’s time to throw away the nozzle.

Don't forget to take care of your hygiene products. They should be kept absolutely clean, for example, in cases. After each use, rinse them thoroughly with water. Periodically wash the brushes using safe disinfectants.

What products are needed to care for teeth with braces?

Caring for teeth with braces

The cost of installing braces made of different materials: metal, ceramic and sapphire

The material used to make braces is one of the important criteria for choosing an orthodontic system for occlusion correction.
Strength, efficiency and, of course, the price of installing braces depend on the material of production. The most budget option is metal braces (except for expensive lingual systems). In addition to the low price, metal braces also have such advantages as high efficiency, the ability to use in the correction of complex malocclusion defects, and shorter treatment times. At Firadent, the price for installing metal braces will start at 54,000 rubles

(for two jaws).

THIS IS USEFUL TO KNOW: Many people mistakenly think of metal braces as a bulky and uncomfortable design that disfigures not just the smile, but the entire face. This is due to pictures of antique orthodontic appliances that are posted online. In fact, modern metal braces are lightweight, compact and quite attractive designs, the plates of which can be painted in any color or made in the form of funny figures. The only disadvantage of metal braces is their visibility on tooth surfaces.

If metal braces do not suit your aesthetic level, you can consider the option of correcting your bite with ceramic braces. Dental ceramics is a material with a unique set of characteristics: it is durable, has a rich range of shades, allowing you to choose the tone of the ceramic to match the tone of your teeth enamel. Therefore, ceramic braces will be almost invisible on the teeth. The price for installing ceramic braces in our dentistry in Moscow will start at 60,000 rubles

.

THIS IS USEFUL TO KNOW: Ceramic braces, while highly aesthetic, are quite fragile, they are vulnerable to mechanical stress, and therefore require careful handling while wearing. In addition, when wearing ceramic braces, you need to follow a certain diet so that the elements of the braces do not become stained from contact with pigments from coloring foods and drinks.

Another option for braces is braces made from synthetic sapphires. These beautiful artificial stones are grown in laboratories. The plates of such braces will be completely transparent, which ensures high aesthetics of the system. However, in practice, sapphire braces are placed on teeth extremely rarely, and here’s why: they are expensive and at the same time quite fragile, suitable only for people with impeccably white tooth enamel. On yellowish, grayish teeth, the aesthetics of sapphire plates will be lost, which means the key advantage of sapphire braces will be lost.

THIS IS USEFUL TO KNOW: You can save money on installing braces while maintaining the aesthetics of your smile. To do this, you can install combined braces, one arch of which (for the lower jaw) will be made of metal, and the other (for the upper jaw) will be made of aesthetic ceramics.

When you, together with your orthodontist, select braces, the next stage of treatment will begin - preparatory, during which additional costs are possible. What will you need to pay for in preparation for getting braces?

Can I use an electric toothbrush?

Ultrasonic is not possible, conventional electric is possible. The first can lead to the plates coming off, the second should not have a moving head and strong vibration - this will not harm the braces, but it will be inconvenient for you to use such a brush, since the bristles will get stuck. You can use several toothbrushes at once - a regular one to clean the inner surface of the teeth, and an orthodontic one to clean the outer surface where the braces are located.

“The braces are fixed quite securely - you need to try hard to peel them off the surface of the teeth. Therefore, hygiene must be carried out without fear and in no case reducing its intensity, making allowances for braces. If the care is poor, after removing the system we will find caries and white spots on the enamel.”

Rustamova Gunel Bakhmanovna, dentist-orthodontist, work experience more than 4 years make an appointment

Oral-B Clinic Line Ortho (USA)

If you're shopping for orthodontic toothbrushes for braces, consider Oral-B Ortho. This is an inexpensive option, but at the same time quite high quality and effective. Price – from 200 rubles.

This model has a rubberized ribbed handle that prevents slipping in the fingers during cleaning and excessive pressure on soft and hard fabrics. The head is narrow and long, which is good for penetration into the most inaccessible and remote1 areas of the oral cavity. Polyamide bristles are soft and do not accumulate bacteria for a long time.

Oral-B Clinic Line Ortho

What diet should you follow?

There are three main rules that must be followed after installing braces:

1. avoidance of excessively hard and “sticky” foods – nuts, seeds, toffees, chewing gums,
2. hard fruits and vegetables, meat must be cut into small pieces, chewing with side teeth,
3. food and drinks should be warm, but not hot - this can lead to the records coming off.

Your diet should remain unchanged, with the exception of the three points listed. Do not overuse liquid and soft foods - your teeth must receive stress for normal functioning. You can minimize the consumption of viscous foods (chocolate, waffles, chips) - but not because they are prohibited, but because they accumulate on braces and under the archwire. They will simply be very difficult to remove.

How to eat immediately after getting braces

In the first 1-2 weeks after installing braces (as well as after their activation), especially with a significant defect and the choice of ligature structures (they put more pressure on the teeth than self-ligating ones), you will experience pain. The degree of intensity is completely different and depends on many factors, including your sensitivity. Therefore, if at first you find it painful and unpleasant to eat your usual food, change it to a more liquid one - give preference to soups, dairy products, yoghurts, or puree the main dishes. This will reduce the load on the teeth and reduce painful manifestations.

Rules for daily hygiene care

If you have braces, you should make it a rule to take care of your teeth every day - morning, evening and after every snack. This will help maintain healthy teeth and a snow-white shade of enamel after removing braces.

• Brush your teeth with a brush and toothpaste in the morning and evening. If you have a special brush, it is necessary to carry out horizontal movements along the arch of the braces (there is a recess inside the bristles for the arch). Use a regular brush without strong pressure, using both horizontal and vertical movements. Move the head actively, clean each record separately,
• After the main cleaning, use a single-tuft brush or brushes to clean every gap between the brackets/archwires, the surface of the teeth, as well as the plates themselves, top and bottom. Pay special attention to the brackets that are located on the farthest teeth - it is on them that the largest amount of plaque accumulates, since it is with these elements that we chew food,
• Rinse your mouth with water and mouthwash for 1-2 minutes.

Cleaning can also be supplemented with an irrigator (can also be directed at the plates - the pressure should be reduced only in the presence of ceramic and sapphire systems) and dental floss.

Is it possible to have professional cleaning with braces?

It is worth noting that professional teeth cleaning by a dentist is mandatory before installing and after removing braces. In the first case, this allows you to remove stone and plaque from the surface of the tooth in order to:

• Minimize the risk of developing caries during orthodontic treatment;
• Ensure better attachment of the bracket plate to the tooth surface.

Accordingly, at the end of treatment, the doctor removes plaque that has settled on the teeth due to difficulties with hygiene, and thus evens out the color of the teeth.

If the patient is indicated for long-term wearing of braces - longer than six months, then professional cleaning is carried out at the agreed time or according to the doctor's indications. In this case, there is no need to remove the braces themselves; you just need to remove the arches for the duration of cleaning (and even then not always).

The price of professional teeth cleaning with braces at a dentist in Moscow is slightly higher than that for other categories of patients.

Why do my teeth hurt after installing and activating braces?

In the first days after installation, and subsequently after activation of braces, aching sensations of varying degrees of intensity are possible - the stronger the defect, the greater the pain. When fixing ligature systems, the pressure is greater, so the teeth will hurt more. Soreness in general is a completely normal reaction, since braces from the first minutes after fixation already have an impact on the teeth and change their position.

If the pain is severe, then in the first days after installation or activation of the system, you can take painkillers. But no more than 2-3 days. If discomfort persists, contact your orthodontist for system correction.

Irrigator for braces - how to choose

When buying an orthodontic irrigator, pay attention to the following points:

• For a family, choose a stationary irrigator with a large number of attachments and a large liquid reservoir. If you often travel on business, a portable model is suitable. However, the kit may not include an attachment for braces. They will have to be purchased additionally.
• Make a choice in favor of models with several operating modes. Such irrigators allow you to change the pressure level and jet pressure.
• Make sure the device is compatible with orthodontic attachments. Even if they are not included, it should be possible to attach them.

There is a separate nozzle for each family member. Typically, manufacturers mark them with different colors so that consumers do not confuse them and use only their own. We will describe popular models and advise which irrigator for braces is best to choose.

What to do if your braces chafe?

For inflammation of the mucous membranes, you can use special gels and ointments that have an antiseptic and soothing effect - for example, Metrogyl Denta, Vinilin.

To prevent inflammation, it is also recommended to use orthodontic wax. The purpose of its use is to isolate and protect soft mucous membranes from solid elements of the system. Apply to sharp protruding parts and replace as they fall off. It is recommended to remove the wax while eating.

Silicone strips for braces, like wax, are used to protect soft mucous membranes. Silicone is presented in the form of strips that can be used to cover one bracket or the entire row. Unlike wax, it does not crumble and is used repeatedly.

What to do if the bracket comes off?

This happens quite rarely. And, as a rule, with budget models that are initially poorly fixed, or after some time after using the system. In such a situation, you need to make an appointment with the orthodontist as quickly as possible, or even come without an appointment during his working hours: gluing the plate will only take a few minutes. Metal braces can be re-glued at least 2-3 times. Ceramic or sapphire - also 1-2 times, but you need to look at their general condition.

It is unlikely that the bracket will be swallowed, since even if it comes off the surface, it will still be fixed to the arch with the help of ligatures or locking fastenings. If the plate does fall off, do not throw it away, but be sure to take it with you to your doctor’s appointment.

Other hygiene products for braces

After each meal, if it is not possible to brush your teeth, you should rinse your mouth using balms and rinses. There are many varieties of them. All of them have antibacterial properties. It is advisable to buy products containing minerals, for example, DRC ROCS “Active Calcium”, which help restore the enamel structure. Balms and rinses can be used both pure and diluted. They can also be refilled into irrigator tanks.

You should clean the interdental spaces with dental floss at least once a day, especially after eating fibrous foods such as meat. It should be used by all people, regardless of whether they have braces installed or not, since plaque quickly accumulates between the teeth and creates a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria. If there are orthodontic structures in the oral cavity, you need to use special dental floss made of denser fiber (Miradent Mirafloss implant chx). They do not tear when in contact with metal elements of braces.

Dentists also recommend purchasing an irrigator - a device that is used to additionally clean the oral cavity of food debris and bacteria. The device creates a pulsating stream of water, which is directed onto the teeth, thereby washing away germs and plaque from the interdental space. Two types of irrigators are available:

• Stationary (Little Doctor International Ltd Aquajet LD-A7, Donfeel Donfeel OR-820D Compact, Revyline RL 100). They have a large reservoir for liquid and are sold with several attachments, one of which should be designed for caring for braces. The whole family can use one device, but everyone should have their own attachment.
• Portable (Donfeel Donfeel OR-888, Panasonic EW-1411, Revyline RL 200XL). They are more compact, with a small reservoir, the volume of which is enough for one procedure. This device is convenient to take with you on the road.

Irrigators should be used 2-3 times a week. However, they do not replace standard teeth cleaning. The main hygiene products are brushes for braces, including mono-beam and brush, mouthwash and dental floss.

How often should I visit a doctor after getting braces?

If you have ligature systems, you need to visit your doctor monthly. Self-ligating ones also require regular correction, but the frequency is slightly less - every 1.5-2 months. In addition, every 2-3 months you will need professional oral hygiene. And it is better to have it done in the same clinic where you got your braces - your attending physician will carefully remove the arch, you will undergo the procedure, after which he will return the arch to its place. This way the system will not be damaged, and you will get teeth that will be thoroughly cleaned of plaque.

Types of special brushes and popular models

Products that are designed to clean teeth with braces differ in structure, but they perform the same functions. Such elements are good at removing dirt from an orthodontic device.

Toothbrushes for cleaning braces are divided into several types.

With V-shape. It is unique in that it has an uneven bristle length: the bristles at the edges have a standard height, and towards the middle they become shorter.

Using a product of this shape, it is easy not only to care for braces, but also to maintain the cleanliness of the enamel. When moving, the fibers adhere to all parts of the structure, cleaning any deposits from the arc and clasps, removing plaque. When choosing a model, you need to pay attention to options with a small cleaning head and soft bristles.

Mono-beam. Aimed at targeted cleaning of teeth, the space between them, as well as parts of braces. The single-bundle model combines a classic brush and a toothpick. The design consists of a thin base, at the end of which there is a small round head with a bunch of fibers up to 1 cm in diameter. Long bristles reach even the most difficult to reach places. Using a mono-beam model, you can remove plaque from each tooth and bracket separately.

Yorshik. Consists of a holder and a cleaning attachment with bristles. The device resembles a miniature dish brush. It cleans well the space between the teeth and the orthodontic apparatus itself.

The nozzle can be conical or cylindrical. It is recommended to choose the second option, which has all the bristles of the same length. The pile has increased elasticity, so it easily penetrates into hard-to-reach areas of the braces system. It is more convenient to use a brush if it has a curved handle. The replacement nozzle is used for 1-2 weeks, after which it is replaced (there are several of them included in the kit).

Electric brush. It improves the quality of teeth cleaning due to the high rotation speed of the nozzle. With an electric toothbrush for braces, cleaning takes much less time than with a classic one.

If used carelessly, this type of device can disrupt the fixation of braces or deform the fastening elements. Experts advise choosing models without additional functions and ultrasonic exposure. You should brush your teeth with an electric device for no more than two minutes.

An analogue of brushes for braces is an irrigator. The product does an excellent job of cleaning internal (lingual) and external (vestibular) orthodontic appliances. The irrigator includes a mechanical part, a liquid reservoir and a handle with a nozzle attached to it, from which water is sprayed into the oral cavity.

The hygienic procedure takes place under the influence of a high-pressure jet, thanks to which food debris and microbes are quickly washed out of the dental space and braces. Instead of water, a disinfectant solution or a decoction of medicinal herbs can be used.

You can keep your teeth healthy with the right cleaning method. But for this you will need high-quality brushes. Before purchasing a product, you must give preference to trusted manufacturers.

Popular brands of models for braces:

• Oral B. The V-shaped Pro-Expert Clinic Line Ortho Brush is characterized by polyamide bristles. This type of lint prevents bacteria from accumulating in the teeth. The brush has a rubberized handle that does not slip in your hand. The average price of the product is 280−300 rubles. OD-7 attachments are considered one of the best. Replacement cassettes are designed for all electric Oral B models. The set includes three attachments. They are designed specifically for cleaning teeth with braces. The price of the kit is 700−800 rubles.
• Antiplaque Piave Dental Care. The monotuft model has a small head and wavy bristles. Each fiber with a completely smooth surface is produced using laser technology. The cost of such a product is 110−130 rubles.
• Triumph Professional Care. An electric brush allows you to clean your teeth and orthodontic appliances using sweeping, vibrating and circular movements. The product has 5 modes. The set includes 7 attachments, but only one of them is intended for cleaning the orthodontic apparatus. This model costs between 4000-4500 rubles.
• Curaprox CS5460 Ortho. Villi made from polyester reduce water absorption. Since their thickness is only 0.1 mm, they can easily get into hard-to-reach areas of the dentition without injuring the gums. This brush can be used by children from 8 years old. The price of the product is 500−600 rubles.
• Vitis Orthodontic. The V-shaped brush has a power protrusion with elongated bristles at the top of the head. The villi are characterized by varying degrees of rigidity, which improves oral hygiene. There are models for both adults and children. The average cost is 260−300 rubles.
• Miradent I-Prox P. A single-tuft brush with pointed bristles can be used not only for braces, but also for implants and dentures, as well as for incorrectly positioned teeth. The product has from three to six nozzles. You can purchase the product for 360−650 rubles.

When choosing a special brush, you should be guided by their features. You need to choose a model of the degree of rigidity that will not damage your gums and enamel. You should also give preference to options with rubberized handles; they will not move in your hand during the cleaning procedure.