I will teach you how to brush your teeth during orthodontic treatment!

Last updated May 1, 2022

During orthodontic treatment, both wire and mouthpiece orthodontics increase the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. To achieve a beautiful set of teeth with as little of these risks as possible,The most important thing is to brush your teeth carefully every day.

In this issue, I will discuss tooth brushing during orthodontic treatment.

Toothbrushing Tips During Orthodontic Treatment

Because the device interferes during orthodontic treatment,Food debris and plaque build up on the teeth and are difficult to remove with tooth brushing.This requires more careful brushing than before orthodontic treatment.

Regardless of the orthodontic device you use, keep the following in mind

• Brush your teeth after eating.
• Polish while looking in the mirror
• Use low-fired toothpaste.
• Move the toothbrush in small increments with light force.
• Replace the toothbrush with a new one when the bristles open.
• Use of assistive devices

Brush your teeth after eating.

Because it will be difficult for debris to fall off on the wires and attachments,After you eat something, you should basically brush your teeth.Food debris is a prime cause of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.

Polish while looking in the mirror

During orthodontic treatment, there are more bumps and areas that need to be polished because of the wires and attachments on the teeth. Therefore,While brushing, check in the mirror to make sure the toothbrush is hitting the area you want to brush.

Use low-fired toothpaste.

Toothpaste that foams too much is not suitable for prolonged brushing during orthodontic treatment because it is difficult to tell if the toothbrush is hitting the toothpaste and the mouth is full of foam.

Low-foaming, non-foaming toothpastes or gel toothpastes that do not contain foaming agents are recommended.In addition, the use of fluoride toothpaste is effective in preventing cavities.

Move the toothbrush in small increments with light force.

Scrubbing with strong force may damage the teeth and gums and cause damage. It can also strain the appliance in the case of wire braces or scrape the attachments that attach to the teeth in the case of mouthpiece braces.

When brushing your teeth,Use light force and shakiness to polish in small increments.Grip the toothbrush as if you were holding a pen, which makes it harder to exert force and makes it easier to move the toothbrush in a fine motion.

Replace the toothbrush with a new one when the bristles open.

As toothbrushes are used, the tips of the bristles bend and open outward and the bristles lose their firmness, making it impossible to remove stains properly.

During orthodontic treatment, the tips of the bristles get caught on the uneven surfaces of the wires, especially shortening the life of the toothbrush. Even if the tips of the bristles are not open,It is recommended to replace the toothbrush with a new one every month.

Use of assistive devices

Since it is difficult for a toothbrush to reach between teeth, under and around wires, it is inevitable that some brushing will be left behind. For wire braces, use a one-tuft brush with small bristles or an interdental brush, and for mouthpiece braces, floss,Use an auxiliary tool along with a toothbrush to remove plaque.

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Tips for brushing teeth during orthodontic treatment with wires

What is prone to food debris and polish residue with wire braces,Border between bracket and tooth, below the wireIt is. To remove dirt here, polish with the following points in mind.

• Apply the toothbrush from three directions against the wire.
• Use auxiliary tools for small gaps.

Apply the toothbrush from three directions against the wire.

To apply the tip of the toothbrush around the bracket,Apply the toothbrush from three directions: above, below and directly above the wire.

When brushing from above and below the wire, place the side of the toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees to the wire and brush in small lateral increments. When brushing directly above the wire, place the toothbrush at a right angle to the appliance and brush in small lateral increments.

By moving the toothbrush in small increments, you can get the bristles of the toothbrush into the gaps between the wires to remove plaque.

Use auxiliary tools for small gaps.

One-tuft brushes, interdental brushes, and oral cleaners that use a stream of water to clean the teeth can be used to further clean the teeth.

For one-tufted brushes

One-tufted brushes are,It is recommended for brushing around brackets and areas where there is still rattling of the teeth.

Brush the teeth by diving the brush in from above and below the wire. You can also clean around the brackets by pinpointing the one-tufted brush on teeth that are rattling and pulling back and on the corners of the border between the brackets and teeth, and brushing with small wiggle movements as you would a toothbrush.

For interdental brushes

Interdental brushes areRecommended for brushing teeth just below the wire that are difficult to reach with a one-tuft brush.Brush by sneaking the interdental brush in from above and below the wire.

Interdental brushes can also be used to clean around orthodontic implants implanted in the gums. Place the side of the interdental brush against the border between the orthodontic implant and the gum and brush one round by moving it in small increments at different angles.

For Jet Washer

A jet washer is an instrument that uses the power of water to wash away food debris and stains. After brushing the teeth, the nozzle of the washer is inserted under the wires and around the brackets, and a stream of water is applied to wash away any food debris and stains that rise to the surface.

Video of tooth brushing during orthodontic treatment with wires

Tokai City, Aichi PrefectureKojima Dental OfficeThe following information was provided by

Please refer to the video as it is very easy to understand.

By the way, here is the floss that was introduced in the video.

Tooth brushing tips during orthodontic treatment with a mouthpiece

With mouthpiece orthodontics, the mouthpiece can be removed when brushing the teeth, allowing for almost the same care as before orthodontic treatment,Care must be taken before wearing the mouthpiece.

• Always brush your teeth before wearing the mouthpiece.
• If brushing is not possible, use mouthwash, etc.

Keep these two points in mind to keep your mouth clean.

Always brush your teeth before wearing the mouthpiece.

If you don't brush your teeth and wear a mouthpiece,The mouthpiece will seal in food debris and plaque, and the risk of tooth decay and gum disease is much higher.Always brush your teeth before wearing the mouthpiece.

Move the toothbrush horizontally in small increments, and brush the entire surface of the teeth as if you were brushing one tooth at a time. Also, since plaque between teeth cannot be removed with a toothbrush, floss should be used to remove it.

If the process of moving teeth creates larger gaps between teeth, use an interdental brush that is appropriate for the size of the gap to effectively remove stains. Insert the interdental brush between the teeth from the buccal or backside of the teeth and brush by pushing and pulling in small increments.

If brushing is not possible, use mouthwash, etc.

Even though it is necessary to brush one's teeth before wearing the mouthpiece, some lifestyles may make it difficult to brush before wearing the mouthpiece.

At that time,Gargle well before wearing the mouthpiece, and wear the mouthpiece with as little food debris on your teeth as possible.If possible, gargling with a mouthwash that has bactericidal and cavity-preventive properties is recommended to reduce the activity of oral bacteria.

If you stop wearing the mouthpiece when you cannot brush your teeth, your teeth will not move,The mouthpiece will need to be remade or the orthodontic period will need to be extended.

If you are unable to brush your teeth, make it a priority to gargle after eating and then wear the mouthpiece, and brush your teeth when you can regardless of when after eating.

Brushing teeth during orthodontic treatment is the first step to a beautiful mouth

Brushing teeth during orthodontic treatment takes more effort than usual, but carefully cared for healthy teeth are essential for a beautiful set of teeth.Keep in mind that brushing teeth during orthodontic treatment is the first step toward a beautiful mouth, so take good care of your teeth.

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