Many people wear braces to achieve straight teeth. The components of the braces cover a significant part of the tooth surface, thus making oral hygiene difficult. This state of affairs puts you at risk of tooth decay, as well as developing inflammatory lesions of the gums. Find out how to counteract the deterioration of teeth while wearing braces.
Table of contents:
- Braces and caries
- Cariesprevention procedure
- A toothbrush is essential
- Cleaning braces - accessories
- Braces - dental treatment
Tooth decay is one of the most common dental diseases. When wearing braces, the risk of tooth decay increases, as access to the teeth is made considerably more difficult.
Before and during the fitting of braces, it is important that all teeth are healthy. In addition:
- inflammatory lesions in the oral cavity should be removed,
- plaque and tartar should be removed from the surface of the teeth.
Important! Even small carious lesions or a leaking filling can result in an extensive cavity and subsequently destroy the tooth.
Braces and caries
When wearing braces, the most important thing to do is to take good care of both oral hygiene and the braces themselves.
The components of fixed braces (we are mainly talking about those which are bonded to the enamel) promote the accumulation of not only plaque, but also food debris. If the plaque is not removed, localised demineralisation of the enamel may occur - depriving the teeth of valuable elements (e.g. calcium, phosphorus), which weakens the teeth, making them more susceptible to decay.
As a result of demineralisation, so-called carious white spots form as a result of decalcification of the enamel. With poor oral hygiene, they accumulate around the components of fixed appliances (e.g. brackets, rings, arches) and also in the cervical area of the teeth.
Important! The appearance of carious spots is caused by prolonged orthodontic treatment if the patient does not observe proper hygiene around the brackets.
Caries prevention procedure
- patient should control the amount of plaque and learn the methods of its elimination,
- professional hygienization procedures should be carried out at the dental surgery (e.g. scaling or sandblasting).
Important! Treatments are also carried out after braces have been fitted as required (at least every 3-4 months).
- it is recommended to use interdental brushes of various sizes and single-bristle brushes which have better access to the base of the bracket and reach under the orthodontic arch more easily.
Important! The size of the toothbrush is adjusted to the space between the braces (the bristles of the toothbrush should fill the space without the effect of obstruction).
- toothpaste should be used - orthodontic toothpaste. Preferably with fluoride. For a better effect it is worth using a mouthwash that coats the braces and teeth with a thin biofilm, thus reducing trauma to the mucous membrane,
- sugar intake should be limited,
- visits to the orthodontic office are important. At follow-up appointments, removable components of the braces should be removed and the patient should be allowed to brush their teeth before they are reattached.
A toothbrush is essential
The use of a suitable orthodontic toothbrush is very important in prevention:
- soft,
- medium-hard.
Both types with an uneven, serrated surface or having a special "V" shaped groove make it easier to position the bristles of the bracket and metal arch. In addition, they make it possible to clean the teeth within the orthodontic appliance components.
Important! A traditional toothbrush is recommended for cleaning teeth that are free of braces.
Before brushing your teeth, remove all parts of the braces that are not permanently attached - this will make it easier to reach the remaining parts.
How to care for braces, photo: panthermedia
The order of brushing is important:
- start with the components of the appliance (the surfaces of the molars and the rings installed on them, among other things),
- then clean the gingival, labial and buccal areas,
- proceed to the front teeth (clean the area around the bracket and the metal arch). Then start cleaning the teeth free of braces,
- clean the area on the inner surface (palatal and lingual),
- finish cleaning the chewing area.
Cleaning of braces - accessories
In caring for the ideal condition of the oral cavity during orthodontic treatment, one should not forget about the hygiene of the braces themselves. A cleaning kit should be provided:
- cleaning brushes - they allow to clean the oral cavity in the most inaccessible places.
Important! Depending on the type of braces, their thickness can be adjusted.
- floss with a hardened tip - recommended for those patients who have difficulty cleaning the tightest areas between the braces and teeth,
- brush with an orthodontic groove - it is important to brush the entire tooth surface. The profiled groove facilitates this type of cleaning with braces partially covering the surface,
- mouthwash - after brushing it is recommended to rinse the mouth with mouthwash which protects gums and teeth against decay.
Orthodontic braces - dental treatment
In the case of caries, classic conservative treatment is carried out (preparation and filling of the cavity).
If access to the affected area is difficult, the dentist removes the item and dental treatment is then carried out. If the dentist does not have the necessary skills to remove the braces, an orthodontist works together - he removes the braces (the required components) for the duration of the dental treatment and puts them back in place after treatment.
Important! Early detected caries, when the lesions are small, facilitates treatment and there is no need to remove the braces. It is so important for the patient with braces to have their hygiene and teeth checked at least once every three months.
