Is an electric toothbrush suitable for cleaning teeth with braces?

Wearing braces requires careful regular care. Lack of proper hygiene can lead to the development of tooth decay, gingivitis and other dental problems. Many people are interested in the question: is it possible to clean braces with an electric brush? We'll tell you in the article.

Do I need to brush my teeth with braces with a toothbrush?

The procedure for hygienic care of teeth with installed braces differs from traditional cleaning. A regular toothbrush is not enough to care for braces. In addition, you will need several special brushes, as well as superfloss, irrigator and rinses.

Whether you can clean your braces with a brush or not depends on what kind of brush you use. To care for orthodontic appliances and the oral cavity, you will need the following types of toothbrushes:

Regular with soft bristles.
Orthodontic with V-shaped cut in bristles.
Interdental (so-called brush).
Mono-tuft - a brush that has only one tuft of bristles.

The oral care procedure must be approached comprehensively and teeth should be brushed using all of the listed brushes.

Oral care products

When a person wears braces, he needs to take dental hygiene more seriously. Standard cleaning with regular brushes will not help here. Food debris accumulates not only between the teeth, but also in the elements of the orthodontic device. It is quite difficult to clean them, so pathogens quickly spoil the enamel. After some time, plaque forms on the teeth, gums become inflamed, bleeding and caries appear.

While wearing braces, a person must purchase several types of products for cleaning the oral cavity. Special products include a monotuft orthodontic brush with V-shaped bristles and a brush for cleaning braces. Standard dental care products include a classic brush, toothpaste, mouthwash and floss.

You will have to brush your teeth that have special structures installed on them more than twice a day. Dentists strongly advise carrying out the procedure after every meal. If it is impossible to brush your teeth with a brush (for example, at work or school), then your mouth should be rinsed with water or a special liquid.

Sometimes orthodontic products are sold in ready-made sets, which are more economical than products sold separately. The average price of a set varies between 800−1000 rubles. You can purchase a set of brushes in pharmacies, dental clinics or online. Some kits contain paste, rinse aid, floss and orthodontic wax.

Option for a braces care kit

The long-awaited moment has arrived: the orthodontic appliance is in place and you have many months of treatment ahead of you. It is very important to pay due attention to hygiene during this entire time, because now this issue requires significant effort. You need to monitor not only the cleanliness of tooth enamel, but also the condition of numerous elements of the system: arches, ligatures, clasps, springs.

To care for braces after installation, the following products will be useful:

orthodontic toothbrush. It perfectly cleanses the elements of the system without damaging the enamel, eliminating problems such as bad breath and inflammation of the gums;
floss for cleaning hard-to-reach contact areas;
Rinse liquid is an important aspect of care. They are used to protect enamel, prevent periodontitis and effectively restore mineralization.

In addition to installing braces and specific dental care, the patient’s nutrition is also important. Wearing the system involves some risks for the enamel, so you should, if possible, avoid sweets and fast carbohydrates, which contribute to the growth of bacteria. Also, do not get carried away with too hard products.

Oral hygiene during the period of bite correction involves the use of products of various profiles, so the question of whether it is possible to clean braces with a regular brush is not relevant, since both special and standard devices need to be used.

Special

Special products include products designed to clean not only teeth, but also all elements of the orthodontic structure.

Such devices include:

orthodontic brush with V-shaped bristles;
monobeam;
orthodontic brush.

Standard

Standard dental care products include:

toothpaste;
classic brush;
floss for braces. It is not recommended to use the classic version of the thread;
irrigator;
teeth rinse.

Can I use an electric toothbrush?

Some patients clean them with an electric toothbrush after getting braces. There is a myth that this should not be done, because electric brushes can damage structural parts, as a result of which it will have to be replaced.

Dentists refute this opinion and say that brushing your teeth with an electric brush is acceptable. The main thing is to choose the right model, which is equipped with orthodontic attachments, and follow the doctor’s recommendations.

The use of electric toothbrushes in caring for braces is even preferable for a number of reasons. Such brushes remove plaque better because they automatically perform tens of times more cleaning movements than we can do with our hands.

Modern sonic and ultrasonic models clean not only through mechanical action, but also using sound waves and pulsations. Using electric brushes, you can remove plaque and dirt from under the gums, from between teeth and other hard-to-reach areas.

What requirements must an electric brush for braces meet?

To ensure not only effective, but also gentle care of braces, the brush must meet a number of requirements.

Synthetic bristles.

It cleans well, but bacteria do not multiply in it as actively as in natural ones.

Small cleaning head.

It is advisable to choose models with a round head no larger than 1.3-1.6 cm. Such brushes will not damage fragile structural elements, and they better penetrate the distant teeth and other hard-to-reach places.

Soft bristles.

This will avoid damage to the structure.

Combination of technologies.

To care for braces, some dentists recommend choosing electric brushes that combine reciprocating and pulsating technologies. This provides better cleaning quality and allows you to remove the maximum amount of plaque in a shorter time.

Special orthodontic attachments.

Be sure to choose an electric brush with special attachments. For example, any Oral-B electric toothbrush comes with a set of Braun Oral-B Ortho Care Essentials orthodontic attachments. It has different attachments that are suitable for high-quality cleaning of teeth around the locks and in the spaces between teeth.

When buying an electric brush to care for braces, it is important to consider that the attachments will wear out faster than with standard cleaning, so they will have to be replaced more often.

Standard nozzles

The presented nozzles are designed taking into account different needs, which determines the effect. Models with soft, delicate bristles are suitable for sensitive teeth and gums, because they carefully clean the oral cavity without injuring it. Attachments with medium-hard bristles have whitening properties, thoroughly clean plaque from teeth, eliminating excess pigmentation. The standard Oral-B toothbrush heads section includes the following models:

Sensi Ultrathin

The ultra-fine bristles of the nozzle for sensitive teeth guarantee a soft, gentle cleansing of the oral cavity. The head removes twice as much plaque as a regular brush, thereby keeping your gums healthy. The combination of fine bristles and rounded tips is ideal for sensitive gums that require gentle and effective cleaning. The uniquely shaped brush head cleans every tooth, preventing bleeding and gum disease.

Characteristic	Meaning
Form	Round petal-shaped
Compatible with electric brushes	Oral-B Genius, Pro, Smart and Vitality

pros

great deals – sets can be purchased in 2 and 4 pieces;
thin bristles do not injure gums;
recommended by dentists all over the world;
made in Germany;
Suitable for daily use.

Minuses

not suitable for brushes from the Oral-B Pulsonic line;
Doesn't clean hard-to-reach places under braces well.

Review: “Super soft, fine bristles. Does not injure gums. I’m taking an 11-year-old child.”

CrossAction

The replaceable premium brush head features 16-degree angled bristles to effectively remove plaque along the gum line, doing twice as much work as a regular toothbrush. The bristles of different lengths penetrate deeply into hard-to-reach places, and the rounded tips do not injure the oral mucosa. Rotating and oscillating movements eliminate plaque, and the professional attachment ensures optimal tooth coverage. The need for replacement is indicated by discoloration of the bristles.

Characteristic	Meaning
Form	Round
Compatible with electric brushes	Triumph, Smart, PRO, Vitality, Genius

pros

high-quality plaque removal;
penetrates into the most remote places;
guaranteed quality, confirmed by clinical studies;
reliable fastening;
presence of wear indicator.

Minuses

medium stiffness of the bristles may cause discomfort;
difficult to buy in a regular store.

Review: “The CrossAction electric brush head copes with many tasks, namely: deep cleaning of interdental spaces, whitening and gum massage. When the colored bristles become discolored, they need to be replaced with a new brush head. Everything is painfully simple, especially making replacements. 2 minutes of brushing with this attachment, and your mouth feels like it just came from the dentist's office. I recommend it to everyone!”

3DWhite

This attachment is designed specifically for gently removing stains from the surface of tooth enamel. When cleaning teeth from plaque and food particles, the polishing bowl holds toothpaste and, without damaging the enamel, removes surface staining. Thanks to the cup, teeth become whiter after the first use. Faded blue bristles indicate a replacement brush head. The rounded tips do not injure the gums and do not chip the enamel.

Characteristic	Meaning
Form	Round with rubberized bowl
Compatible with electric brushes	All except Pulsonic

pros

restores natural whiteness;
removes stains from coffee and red wine;
polishing effect;
#1 toothbrush brand in the world;
designed according to the example of professional dental equipment.

Minuses

all bristles are the same length;
higher cost than other types.

Review: “This is a super thing! Not a single day or trip can go by without it. Very convenient and comfortable, allows you to clean all your teeth. Our whole family has been using it for 5 years. Yes, I recommend this product".

Precision Clean

The nozzle for daily oral hygiene highly effectively cleans the tooth surface from all sides, thanks to the technology of reciprocating and pulsating movements. The structure of the nozzle is designed for comprehensive fight against bacteria and removal of plaque. The circular arrangement of the bristles allows you to maximally cover the entire perimeter of the tooth and clean plaque along the gums up to 4 times better than with manual brushes.

Characteristic	Meaning
Form	Round in the center with a recess
Compatible with electric brushes	All except Pulsonic

pros

affordable price;
profitable family packs - 2, 3 and 4 pieces;
optimal average stiffness of the bristles;
quality materials;
easy to use.

Minuses

not suitable for sonic electric toothbrushes of the Sonic/Pulsonic series;
for adults only.

Review: “A simple attachment, no additional properties, but the cheapest from Oral-B. It cleans great, so I like it.”

Sensitive

This attachment is designed to gently clean sensitive teeth and gums without damaging the enamel and mucous membranes. Very soft bristles guarantee high-quality results. The Sensitive attachment can be used even for inflammation and bleeding gums. Indicator bristles change color to notify you of the need to replace the nozzle with a new one. Timely replacement of the nozzle will maintain high quality cleaning.

Characteristic	Meaning
Form	Round
Compatible with electric brushes	All

pros

for sensitive teeth;
delicate care;
cleans even hard-to-reach places;
follows the contours of the tooth;
fits tightly to the handle body.

Minuses

does not remove plaque very thoroughly;
problematic to buy.

Review: “I have sensitive teeth, I can’t say that a regular attachment is not suitable for me, but I decided to try a specialized one. It clearly cleans even more carefully, but Cross Action still removes plaque faster. I’ll probably alternate.”

TriZone

The special arrangement of bristles in this model perfectly removes plaque from the entire surface, including the area near the gums. The TriZone nozzle cleans in three directions simultaneously. The oval head is 20% smaller in size, but covers 43% more tooth area than a standard manual brush. Rotational movements are carried out perpendicularly, cleaning all interdental surfaces.

Characteristic	Meaning
Nozzle shape	Elongated, oval
Compatible with electric brushes	All except Pulsonic

pros

does not damage enamel;
large coverage of the tooth surface;
universal, suitable for any brush model of this brand;
division into zones;
different heights of bristles for better cleaning.

Minuses

unusual shape;
only up and down movement, not in a circle.

Review: “This is a strange attachment. The first impression is not the same as from other round ones. If you look at the points, it cleans well, removes everything, costs normally, etc. Of course, better than regular manual brushes.”

Is it possible to clean braces and teeth with an ultrasonic brush?

Manufacturers of some ultrasonic brushes say that this is the optimal and gentle option for caring for braces. For example, the Emmi-Dent 6 Platinum Carbon ultrasonic electric brush, according to the manufacturer, provides gentle and high-quality care for any dental structures. Cleaning is carried out using ultrasound, which carefully removes plaque, prevents the formation of tartar, has an antimicrobial effect, and also has a beneficial effect on the gums and soft tissues. Due to ultrasonic cleaning, the electric brush does not have a strong mechanical effect on teeth and braces, does not injure the gums and does not damage the details of the orthodontic structure.

The Emmi-Dent ultrasonic brush operates on safe ultrasound with a frequency of 96 million pulsations per minute, it is made using patented technology, and its use is recommended by the Russian Dental Association. This brush comes with a special toothpaste without scratching abrasive particles. When the paste interacts with ultrasound, nano-sized bubbles are formed. They damage the shell of microbes and ensure cleaning of teeth in microcracks, near the clasps of the brace system, in periodontal pockets and other hard-to-reach areas.

Please note that not all dentists share the opinion of the manufacturers of ultrasonic brushes that they are ideal for caring for braces. Some doctors are of the opposite opinion and are convinced that ultrasound can harm the orthodontic structure. Therefore, it is important to discuss the choice of an electric brush for cleaning braces in advance with the doctor who will install the braces.

Is an electric brush enough?

Even the most modern and high-quality toothbrush is not enough to fully care for the oral cavity of a person who wears braces. To maintain dental health, comprehensive hygiene is important, which, in addition to brushing with special toothbrushes, includes the use of superfloss, irrigator and mouth rinses:

Superfloss is a dental floss specially designed for orthodontic patients. It is more convenient to insert it into the interdental spaces compared to regular floss, and it also allows you to efficiently clean the surface of the tooth around the lock.
Every person who wears dental appliances needs an irrigator. This device improves the quality of oral hygiene several times and reduces the risk of caries and other diseases. The irrigator directs a powerful stream of water, which removes dirt and plaque from under the edge of the gum, from interdental spaces and other areas that could not be cleaned by other means.
Rinse aid. This product not only washes away the remaining plaque and dirt, but also has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. You should choose a mouthwash as prescribed by your doctor.

Orthodontic brush for braces: features of choice

When choosing an orthodontic brush for cleaning braces, you should pay attention to the following points:

Dimensions of the cleaning head - its length should not exceed 3 cm (or the width of three teeth) so that the brush can penetrate into the most difficult to reach places. At the same time, it should not be too small.
The material from which the bristles of the brush are made is better synthetic than natural. Natural pile is a more favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms; in addition, it is subject to rapid wear.
When choosing the hardness of the brush, you should give preference to the bristles marking - “soft” or “medium hardness”.
A new toothbrush should be purchased approximately once every three months or as the need arises (loss of shape, wear of bristles, etc.).

Today, the most popular on the market are specialized brushes for Oral Bi and Curapro braces.

Dental floss is used to clean between teeth. Flosses can be waxed or unwaxed. Flosses are usually scented and impregnated with special wax, which helps glide and effectively removes interdental plaque. Orthodontic patients are recommended to use a special dental floss - super-floss. This thread has different thicknesses and is heterogeneous in structure; it has a stiffer tip, which is convenient to insert under the arch of the bracket system.

Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a dry toothbrush. Positioning the brush at an angle, carefully clean the problematic space between the braces and the gum. A mono-tuft brush and a dental brush are also used for these areas. Using circular vibrating movements, clean each tooth for at least 10 seconds, carefully removing plaque around the bracket. Remember, a dental brush is more effective at removing food debris around the bracket and under the orthodontic archwire. Brush your teeth slowly, upper and lower teeth separately, each tooth from the outside and inside. Brush the teeth of the lower jaw from bottom to top, and teeth of the upper jaw from top to bottom. Additionally The gums are massaged, the palate and back of the tongue are cleaned. Teeth are brushed in the morning, in the evening and, preferably, after each meal. Without good oral hygiene habits, normal brushing can cause gums to bleed. If a regular toothbrush is used incorrectly, rough movements along the gum line can cause serious injury. Modern electric toothbrushes are true works of art. Clinical trials confirm that they provide significant benefits and better plaque removal while remaining gentle on teeth and gums. The basic rules of use are similar to those stated above. Unlike a mechanical brush, 5 seconds are enough to completely clean each tooth.

Fdoss is used to clean interdental spaces. Flosses can be waxed or unwaxed. Flosses are usually scented and impregnated with special wax, which helps glide and effectively removes interdental plaque.