The orthodontic treatments are very effective for correcting defects in the alignment of our teeth, but require the cooperation of the patient in the daily care. There are some hygiene tricks for orthodontics that we can apply every day at home without visiting our dentist, which will make it easier for the doctor to do each check, ensure the efficiency of the treatment and avoid future diseases such as caries, halitosis or gum diseases, such as gingivitis or periodontitis.

It is known that the use of fixed appliances with brackets is somewhat uncomfortable in terms of hygiene: at the time of the meal, the device makes it easier for food remains to be stored between the brackets and teeth.

The market, sometimes, puts before us the best options and tricks for orthodontic hygiene. We can find many dental hygiene materials and accessories that can help all patients with braces. For example, toothbrushes whose bristles have a particular design and adapted to be more incisive and effective when cleaning mouths with apparatus.

The use of dental irrigators may also be recommended. These gadgets allow us to clean our teeth with a water jet at an adjustable pressure and temperature, something very satisfactory, and that achieves very good results in terms of the effectiveness of oral hygiene.

What Should Be The Routine For Proper Hygiene Of The Brackets?

From our experts, we advise carrying, whether or not the patient has braces, at least three mandatory daily brushings, which should be more when there are brackets in the mouth. It is ideal after each meal, and we recommend it.

In addition, specifically for patients who follow orthodontic treatments, it is necessary to go to reviews with a periodicity of between three and four weeks, as appropriate, so that our professional team can be on top of the evolution and the correct development of the treatment.

What Foods Should We Avoid While Wearing Braces?

The first rule that we usually explain is to reduce the intake of sugary foods considerably since it is the main source of decay. Without proper hygiene, bacterial plaque accumulates inevitably, being the beginning of several oral problems such as bad breath, bleeding gums, and tooth decay.

It is advisable at this stage not to resort to food with a very high hardness since they can cause the brackets to peel off or deform the existing equipment in the mouth. This is the case with bone foods, whether olives or different types of fruit, which are not recommended at the same level as nuts, gum, or gummies, should be avoided.

A very common practice that should be avoided for the sake of oral health, especially in those who follow orthodontic treatments, is to manipulate objects with their mouth and teeth: it is strictly prohibited. To do so is to expose yourself to a great risk of accident, completely avoidable, and that can be very harmful.

Why Is It Important To Maximize Hygiene During Treatment With Fixed Appliances?

Perfectly clean teeth tend to move much better and respond more effectively to the movements we print. The risk of bleeding and swelling of the gums decreases markedly.

Having clean teeth gives a sensation of freshness in the mouth that is difficult to explain, noticing you and everyone around you, so whether or not you are treated with appliances, it is advisable to brush your teeth three times a day, but the dentist’s supervision and work remain essential for the effectiveness of the treatment.…

Brushing your teeth is excellent, it is very important and prevents pyorrhea, but the diet factor is key. When it comes to tooth decay, cavities and holes in the teeth, the key is in the diet and in the frequency of exposure to sugar.

But just after eating, it becomes acidic, creating an environment in which your teeth begin to dissolve. So the more you peck between hours, the more periods of acidity there will be in your mouth. The general advice for teeth care is to avoid eating between meals and eating sweets after meals.

Sugar, The Great Enemy Of Teeth

The frequency of exposure to sugar is key to the development of caries. There are hidden sugars in foods that you would never expect. Milk is another food that you can betray, particularly in children: although its calcium content makes it recommended for teeth, it also contains sugar.

Some children fall asleep with a bottle in their mouth or do not brush their teeth after drinking milk, and that also contributes to the formation of cavities.

Acid, Another Enemy

If you have consumed an acidic drink, such as juice or fruit tea, it is better to drink a glass of water afterward to rinse your mouth and dilute the acid. But it is not advisable to brush your teeth during the hour after drinking an acidic drink because the acid softens the tooth enamel, and with brushing, you can damage that protective dental layer.

A Method To Brush Your Teeth Well

According to many dental specialists, it is very difficult to do well because most learn by looking at their mother and tend to repeat what she sees and catch habits from an early age.

Vegetables Against Bad Breath

To get rid of that bad smell of rotten waters, you first need to drink water, which will wash the sulfuric compounds that are generated in the oral cavity and that cause bad breath or halitosis. Then you can consume fibrous vegetables with high water content, such as cucumber, celery, or carrot.

Clean The Cleaner

In order to ensure good oral cleansing – and prevent microorganisms from popping out of the mouth – we recommend thoroughly rinsing the brushes with drinking water after brushing. This will allow removing all traces of toothpaste and food that are trapped between the bristles.

Our experts also advises soaking the brushes in an antibacterial mouthwash. It has been shown to decrease the level of bacteria that grows in the brushes. However, the brushes, no matter how well they are, have a shelf life, which can vary between three and four months or when the bristles are frayed, “whichever comes first.”

Although if the person has been ill, the specialist advises changing the brush once recovered.

Four Steps

The first would be to use antibacterial mouthwash before brushing. This can significantly reduce the burden of bacteria in the mouth and therefore reduce the microorganisms that end up in the bristles after brushing.

The expert reiterates the importance of washing hands “after using the toilet and before grabbing the brush.” This reduces the chances of oral-fecal contamination.

And finally, do not share the toothbrush. “This seems obvious, but a good number of couples admit that they share the brush.”

This means that bacteria are shared in the brushes. “Including those that cause cavities and periodontal diseases.”…