Cleaning braces - rules for caring for teeth with braces

Cleaning before braces: why is it needed?

Correction of the bite always begins with sanitation of the oral cavity. In addition to treating diseases of the teeth and gums, it includes mandatory professional cleaning before installing braces. The doctor will remove hard deposits with ultrasound, and soft deposits with a thin and powerful jet of cleaning powder solution (AirFlow technology). After this, the teeth will need to be polished with a special paste and coated with a fluoride-containing preparation to strengthen the enamel. Such a hygienic procedure should be carried out 3 - 5 days before installation, but no later than 24 hours.

What happens if you don’t brush your teeth before braces? Bacterial plaque will get under the elements of the system, in particular under the clasps that are glued to the enamel. Considering that orthodontic appliances are worn for a year at best, and two years on average, microorganisms will have enough time to multiply and lead to the formation of caries. It is impossible to properly cure it with braces on the teeth. There is a risk of early removal of the device, and this will spoil the final result, and the patient will waste money, time and moral strength. This is why brushing your teeth before getting braces is mandatory.

Professional teeth cleaning while wearing braces helps:

remove plaque and tartar from enamel
remove stains caused by food dyes or bad habits
gain beautiful natural tooth color and smooth enamel
strengthen the enamel
reduce the risk of developing caries and inflammatory processes in periodontal tissues
Provide fresh breath for a long time.

Direction: Occupational hygiene and whitening

Professional hygiene with braces.

Doctor: Sklyarov Konstantin

Details

Rules for caring for braces after installation

And finally, the orthodontic structure is put on. There are many months, or even years of treatment ahead, during which you will need to devote a lot of time to oral hygiene. Cleaning braces is not an easy task. An orthodontic apparatus is a complex system with many elements: clasps, arches, ligatures, rings, springs, hooks for elastic rods... And on each of them food particles can remain and plaque can accumulate.

Recommendations for caring for the braces system

You need to brush your teeth at least three times a day, and ideally after every meal, even a small snack.
It is necessary to brush not only your teeth, but also between them. Dental floss will help clean the interdental space.
The hygiene of braces must be the most thorough: all elements of the system will have to be processed on each side, avoiding the accumulation of plaque.
You will have to purchase special brushes for cleaning braces, as well as additional devices such as an irrigator. We will talk about this in more detail below.
To clean the braces system and teeth, a fluoride-containing paste is used, as well as a fluoride-containing rinse, which completes the oral hygiene procedure with braces.
It’s best to always carry a toothbrush and floss with you in case you need to eat out.
For those who wear braces, care and nutrition go hand in hand. During treatment, you will have to give up a number of foods—hard, sticky, fibrous, and anything else that could damage your braces or get stuck in them. You should also significantly limit sweets.

Hygiene of the brace system is a key task for the entire period of wearing an orthodontic device. If it is neglected, whitish spots may appear on the enamel of the teeth - traces of demineralization and the accumulation of bacterial plaque. They look unaesthetic and spoil the impression of the results of long-term treatment.

WHY DO YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL TEETH CLEANING WHILE WEARING BRACES?

Professional oral hygiene is the main way to prevent diseases of teeth and gums. During orthodontic treatment, home hygiene is significantly more difficult. Even with high-quality care, it is difficult to achieve effective cleaning of teeth, braces, chains, arches, elastic bands, etc.

PROFESSIONAL TEETH CLEANING WHEN WEARING BRACES HELPS:

remove plaque and tartar from enamel
remove stains caused by food dyes or bad habits
gain beautiful natural tooth color and smooth enamel
strengthen the enamel
reduce the risk of developing caries and inflammatory processes in periodontal tissues
Provide fresh breath for a long time.

STEPS OF PROFESSIONAL HYGIENE WHEN WEARING BRACES

Before carrying out professional hygiene, we make sure to remove all arches, ligatures, elastic bands, etc. to provide access to interdental contacts. They are the first to suffer during orthodontic treatment.
Tartar removal. The procedure is carried out with special ultrasonic scalers. Using slight vibration, they will remove hard deposits from all tooth surfaces and braces.
Removing dense pigmented plaque - Air Flow. The device uses pressure to spray a mixture of water and cleaning powder onto your teeth, which will remove plaque without damaging the enamel. Air Flow brushing also has a brightening effect - teeth become one or two shades whiter.
Polishing teeth with special pastes with different flavors. The smooth surface of the teeth prevents the formation of plaque, and therefore reduces the risk of developing caries.
Fluoridation and remotherapy. If plaque remains on the teeth for a long time, the mineralization of the enamel decreases - this can lead to caries. Therefore, the mandatory final stage of professional hygiene during orthodontic treatment is strengthening the enamel.
After completing the hygiene, we will fix all parts of the bracket system in their original places.

And finally, the dentist will select home hygiene products for you, show you how best to clean the locks of your braces, and how to deal with hard-to-reach places. The doctor will also draw up a personal schedule of hygiene procedures for the entire period of wearing braces.

HOW OFTEN IS PROFESSIONAL HYGIENE NEEDED DURING ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?

With high-quality home care, professional hygiene is recommended for adults:

at least once every 4 months when wearing mouth guards or vestibular system
at least once every 2 months with lingual braces.

The occupational hygiene schedule for teenagers is selected individually, since not all children approach home hygiene responsibly.

EDUCATIONAL TEETH CLEANING: WHY IS IT NEEDED AND HOW IS IT DONE?

Our hygienists provide educational and supervised dental cleanings for those wearing braces. We help patients learn good hygiene skills to effectively remove plaque at home.

We apply a product to the teeth that stains plaque. We show the patient in which places hygiene is worse.
We provide an individual brush, and the patient brushes his teeth himself under the supervision of a specialist.
We evaluate the result and show the patient the places where plaque remains.
The hygienist teaches the correct technique of brushing teeth on models, gives recommendations on brushing techniques, teaches how to use dental floss, special toothbrushes, monotuft brushes, dental brushes, irrigators, etc.

Hygiene products for braces

When a person wears braces, oral care consists of several stages. Each of them has its own tool, so the patient will have to acquire a whole arsenal of hygiene products.

Brush for cleaning teeth with braces

The orthobrush has a V-shape with a depression in the center of the pile, which is necessary for treating the surfaces of teeth and most of the orthodontic apparatus. This is where teeth cleaning with braces at home begins. Orthodontists also recommend purchasing a single-tuft toothbrush for cleaning braces. It will be useful for processing distant teeth and the outer part of locks.

Brushes for cleaning braces

It is also necessary to use brushes to clean braces. With their help, it is easy to clean the dental surface under the arcs of the device.

Superfloss

For oral hygiene with braces and cleaning the space between the teeth and around the clasps, you will need a special thread with a hard end - superfloss.

Oral irrigator

Separately, it is necessary to mention the most important device for cleaning braces - the irrigator. The device is somewhat similar to an electric toothbrush, but instead of bristles it has a nozzle from which a powerful stream of water is supplied. The irrigator helps clear plaque from hard-to-reach places where brushes and brushes cannot reach (for example, gum pockets).

Strengthening toothpaste

Wearing braces significantly increases the risk of caries. Therefore, it is worth thinking about prevention. Toothpastes with fluoride, hydroxyapatite crystals, theobromine and other strengthening substances will make your teeth stronger.

How often is professional hygiene necessary during orthodontic treatment?

With high-quality home care, professional hygiene is recommended for adults:

at least once every 4 months when wearing mouth guards or vestibular system
at least once every 2 months with lingual braces.

The occupational hygiene schedule for teenagers is selected individually, since not all children approach home hygiene responsibly.

Professional hygiene for those who wear braces: reviews

NatalyaJanuary 07, 2021

Thank you Olga Valentinovna for the excellent work! In addition to professionalism, every movement and word conveys sincere care, which is especially valuable in our time. The procedure was comfortable, taking into account the fact that I have increased sensitivity of some teeth. I liked the detailed consultation and extensive recommendations regarding home care. I will be happy to come again and recommend to friends. Special thanks to assistant Nadezhda, administrators and coordinator Ekaterina for the competent and clear organization. BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:

Natalya, thank you for your kind words addressed to the doctor and our entire team! Yes, we give detailed recommendations because we believe proper home care is very important! We are always happy to help you and thank you for your willingness to recommend us!

Ekaterina MaksimovaJanuary 05, 2021

I thank Konstantin Sklyarov for the brilliant professional hygiene! Konstantin is a professional magician! Very friendly, attentive, neat and calm doctor. He performed the work efficiently, without fuss, spoke in detail about the initial condition of the teeth, the procedures performed, and showed additional techniques for caring for the oral cavity. Konstantin, thank you for the excellent result, useful information and caring attitude! Good luck to you and further development in your profession! Always be the same great specialist! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:

Ekaterina, thank you for your kind words! We are very glad that you liked the professional hygiene. Come again, we are always ready to help you!

Radmila December 07, 2020

I would like to express my deep gratitude to the doctor Konstantin Aleksandrovich and his assistant for my shiny, clean teeth. I had a cleaning procedure, and the effect was as if it had also been whitened, I’m very pleased!! In a very pleasant, cheerful atmosphere, quickly and with full consultation, without questions, the highest level! Thanks to the doctors of this clinic, I stopped being afraid of dentists, now any procedure is a joy!) Thank you!!! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:

We are glad that you have such a great result! We do a lot for this, purchase new equipment for professional hygiene, use the most modern materials, special powders that do not spoil the enamel, but at the same time clean perfectly. Thank you very much for your feedback! Come again!

SarahDecember 03, 2020

I express my gratitude to the hygienist Ekaterina Vladimirovna Grechukhina for the pearly beauty and freshness of my teeth! Hygiene was as painless and even pleasant as possible, thanks to the latest equipment, the light hands of Ekaterina Vladimirovna and assistant Daria, attentive and very neat! Recommendations and training were given on home care, choosing a toothbrush and toothpaste. THANKS A LOT! Highly recommend! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:

Thank you very much for your review and willingness to recommend us! Yes, we work hard to make every procedure in our clinic stress-free. This applies to both hygiene and treatment. Thanks for appreciating this!

VladislavNovember 13, 2020

The second time I visited Dr. O.V. Kogotko. and the second time I am very pleased with the result. The doctor did everything very carefully and thoroughly, not a single hint of pain, real “light hands.” During and after the procedure I received complete instructions on dental care. I strongly recommend the doctor to my friends! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:

thank you very much for your feedback! Olga Valentinovna has really light and gentle hands, I agree with you! Good health, always happy to help!

Ekaterina November 04, 2020

Olenina Ekaterina Valentinovna you are now my tooth fairy! Thank you so much for an extraordinary 1.5 hours! I watched the film while brushing, without any unpleasant sensations and with the extraordinary care of the tooth fairy Catherine. I didn’t even expect that it was possible to achieve such a result of beautiful and clean teeth. So much useful information and gifts not only for me, but also for my daughter. What a pity that I didn’t know about such a wonderful clinic and extraordinary specialists before. BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:

It’s so good that you are with us now! Yes, we take professional hygiene as seriously as we take treatment. At the same time, we do everything carefully and gently. Thank you very much for noticing all this! We are always happy to help you!

KaterinaSeptember 26, 2020

I turned to Ekaterina Vladimirovna with bleeding gums. The doctor did a very good job of cleaning. After cleaning, she competently pointed out mistakes made during independent oral hygiene and advised how to avoid them in the future. Two days after visiting the doctor, the bleeding completely disappeared! Thank you very much for your professional help! And Ekaterina Vladimirovna also has very gentle hands! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:

Thank you for your feedback! We are very glad that we helped you cope with the problem! Gentle hands are extremely important for a dentist Good health, we will always be happy to help you!

Ekaterina September 22, 2020

I express my deep gratitude to the hygienist Valeria Vladimirovna Goncharova, for her gentle hands, for her kind attitude towards patients, for her skill and qualified approach! I recommend this wonderful specialist, a master of his craft! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:

thank you very much for such kind words! We will definitely pass them on to Valeria Vladimirovna! And good health to you!

Olga31 July 2020

“It would be happiness, but misfortune would help”... I lost a tooth, a crown on a pin, and decided to go to the clinic that I had dreamed of, but had put off visiting for a very long time. The road to treatment and recovery will be long. And I am very happy that my first appointment was with Olga Valentinovna Kogotko. Since she, no one has ever performed hygiene on me before, anywhere! In addition to the amazing result (my family and work colleagues immediately noticed brighter teeth, and this without bleaching), I want to note the affectionate, calm, non-critical attitude towards me. Having some practice of treatment in “fashionable” dentistry behind me, I realized how behind the times the technology in them is... My story in your clinic began with Olga Valentinovna and I was incredibly surprised by the high professionalism and ability to psychologically manage and calm the patient. And strangely enough, she taught me to just breathe during the no longer tiring procedure)) And I’m already waiting for the time to lie down in Olga Valentinovna’s chair again)) Bravo! And thanks to the sweet angel assistant! BELGRAVIA DENTAL STUDIO TEAM:

thank you very much for your feedback! We are very happy to work with you and are always ready to help!

NatalyaJanuary 07, 2021

Ekaterina MaksimovaJanuary 05, 2021

Ekaterina, thank you for your kind words! We are very glad that you liked the professional hygiene. Come again, we are always ready to help you!

Radmila December 07, 2020

SarahDecember 03, 2020

VladislavNovember 13, 2020

thank you very much for your feedback! Olga Valentinovna has really light and gentle hands, I agree with you! Good health, always happy to help!

Ekaterina November 04, 2020

KaterinaSeptember 26, 2020

Thank you for your feedback! We are very glad that we helped you cope with the problem! Gentle hands are extremely important for a dentist Good health, we will always be happy to help you!

Ekaterina September 22, 2020

thank you very much for such kind words! We will definitely pass them on to Valeria Vladimirovna! And good health to you!

Olga31 July 2020

thank you very much for your feedback! We are very happy to work with you and are always ready to help!

Next review

Why do you need to have your braces cleaned at the dentist?

No matter how thoroughly you clean your braces at home, it is impossible to 100% remove plaque accumulated in hard-to-reach places. This is why patients undergoing orthodontic treatment are recommended to have their braces professionally cleaned at least once every 6 months, and ideally once every quarter. It needs to be scheduled in the same way as regular visits to the orthodontist to monitor and correct the system.

Professional cleaning of teeth with braces is carried out according to the same scheme as in all other cases, but requires greater care from the doctor. Using the AirFlow device, the hygienist removes plaque, paying special attention to the areas around the locks. If necessary, ultrasound is also used to remove hard deposits in the pregingival zone (ultrasound cannot be used around elements of the orthodontic apparatus). After completing the procedure, it is worth carrying out surface fluoridation of the teeth to strengthen the enamel.

Professional hygiene will help avoid the appearance of whitish spots on the surface of the teeth. Therefore, to the question “Is it possible to do cleaning with braces?” we answer: “Not only is it possible, but it is also necessary!”

Why do you need professional teeth cleaning during orthodontic treatment?

Professional hygiene is the main way to prevent dental diseases. During orthodontic treatment, home hygiene is significantly more difficult. Even with high-quality care, it is difficult to achieve effective cleaning of teeth, braces, chains, arches, elastic bands, etc.

Brushing your teeth after removing braces

You need to be attentive to oral hygiene not only during orthodontic treatment, but also after its completion. Care after removing braces plays an important role in preventing caries. The fact is that during the process of correcting the bite, the enamel is subjected to constant pressure. Dental care after braces often includes the use of special gels, pastes and varnishes that restore enamel density and reduce sensitivity.

Professional cleaning after braces will also not be superfluous. The hygienist will remove plaque and pigment inclusions and make an application that strengthens the enamel. If there are no contraindications, after removal of the system, patients can have their teeth whitened to return them to their original snow-white shade.

Brushing your teeth after braces at home should remain just as thorough. Of course, there will no longer be a need for a whole arsenal of brushes and brushes, but brushing your teeth twice a day and using floss is a must.

What is a retention period and why is it needed?

After the bite correction is completed using braces, the teeth are in the correct position and the defect is eliminated. However, the dental system has a “memory”, so the teeth can gradually return to their previous position. To avoid this, orthodontists recommend that patients wear special fixation products - retainers.

The retention period should begin immediately after the removal of braces, so that repeated displacement of the teeth does not have time to occur. If you refuse retention, the defect will not only return, but also get worse.

Depending on the patient’s wishes, the characteristics of the treatment performed and the condition of the body as a whole, the specialist selects the most comfortable design that will need to be worn for a long time. The retention period in most cases lasts twice as long as treatment with braces.

What can't you eat if you have braces on your teeth?

If you have braces, regardless of the model, you must follow a certain diet. It mainly concerns solid and sticky products that can stick to structural elements and lead to breakdown of the entire system. These include chewing gum, seeds and nuts, crackers and dryers, and caramel candies.

Excessively cold or hot foods/drinks, ice cream, as well as tea, coffee, juices, and “coloring” fruits should be excluded from the diet - some models of plastic, ceramic and sapphire braces, as well as ligatures (rubber bands) are susceptible to staining.