what is the best toothbrush for braces？

Oral hygiene is very important for orthodontic patients

The braces themselves will not corrode the tooth surface, but the maintenance of oral hygiene is indeed very important for orthodontic patients. Healthy teeth and periodontal tissue are the guarantee of good orthodontic effect. Wearing various fixed appliances weakens the self-cleaning effect of the oral cavity and increases the difficulty of brushing the teeth. It takes more time than before to thoroughly clean the teeth.And, we also need to choose the right toothbrush, otherwise it will affect the correction. So what kind of toothbrush is best for braces?

1.Orthodontic toothbrush

Orthodontic toothbrush is a toothbrush specially designed for orthodontic patients. It can effectively clean the teeth, braces and food residues left on the steel wire, remove plaque, and allow you in orthodontics to better protect your mouth and teeth. Healthy, and also has a very good cleaning effect on lingual invisible aligners.

What are the characteristics of an orthodontic toothbrush?
The biggest difference between general orthodontic toothbrushes and ordinary toothbrushes is the brush head. Generally, the brush head of orthodontic toothbrushes will be U-shaped or V-shaped along the long axis of the toothbrush. The bristles of the orthodontic toothbrush are all soft bristles, which can ensure that the gums and periodontals will not be damaged when brushing the teeth, so that the oral cleaning is more comprehensive when the teeth are straightened.

How to make your own orthodontic toothbrush?
It is actually quite simple to make a homemade orthodontic toothbrush. You can directly cut off 1/3 of the middle row of bristles on the toothbrush on the market, and keep the two sides unchanged, so that it presents a concave shape, and it becomes a homemade orthodontic toothbrush. toothbrush.

Although you can make your own, homemade toothbrushes may not be able to achieve the effect, so you can also buy them online. Different manufacturers have orthodontic toothbrushes, and the materials and workmanship will be better than homemade ones. It is recommended that you go to the Internet to buy suitable for your own use. Orthodontic toothbrush.

Using an orthodontic toothbrush can remove the plaque on the surface of the teeth and brackets, but some difficult-to-reach places need to be used together with other oral care appliances such as interdental brushes, irrigators, etc. Invisible straightening of your teeth is even better.

2.Electric toothbrush

In addition to orthodontic toothbrushes, you can also choose electric toothbrushes. The working principle of the electric toothbrush is to shoot down the plaque, food residues, etc. on the surface of the teeth and in the crevices through sound wave vibration and mechanical rotation, so that the mouth becomes clean. Said, undoubtedly played a role in the rescue.

How do people who wear braces choose an electric toothbrush that suits them? We should choose from the three directions of how the toothbrush works, the characteristics and functional modes of the brush head.

1.Select according to the mode of operation

There are two principles of electric toothbrushes, one is the sonic type, which relies on the release of sonic waves to shoot down the dirt on the tooth surface and brush back and forth to clean the mouth. One is a mechanical type, which relies on high-frequency rotation to brush away the stains one by one, so that the teeth can get a high-efficiency brushing effect.

Maybe for ordinary people, no matter which way, as long as they can brush their teeth well. But for those who wear braces, they should also pay attention, because the two different cleaning methods have different effects on the teeth behind the obstacle of the braces.

Generally speaking, the mechanical product brush will be cleaner. But in addition, we have to consider other factors, such as tooth sensitivity, patients with periodontal problems, etc., which all affect our final selection decision.

• Sonic operation
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The electric toothbrush we are used to calling “sonic” is actually driven by a mechanical motor. Its working principle is to rely on the motor of the inner core to generate high-speed swing left and right, which in turn causes the bristles to generate high-frequency vibrations to shake off the oral residues and clean the oral cavity.

Since this vibration frequency is very close to the frequency of sound waves, it has the concept of “sound waves”. The vibration amplitude of the sonic electric toothbrush is relatively small, which makes it softer than the mechanical type, which is suitable for some people with sensitive teeth.

So even if you have braces on, you want to have a better cleaning power when brushing your teeth. But if you have sensitive teeth, or have loose teeth or periodontals, then you are still suitable for a gentle sonic toothbrush.

• Mechanical operation

The mechanical principle is better understood. It mainly uses the motor inside the toothbrush to drive the brush head to perform pendulum-style rotation—that is, it rotates back and forth 180° for grinding, not 360° cyclic rotation like a fan.

The mechanical principle is better understood. It mainly uses the motor inside the toothbrush to drive the brush head to perform pendulum-style rotation—that is, it rotates back and forth 180° for grinding, not 360° cyclic rotation like a fan.

If you are a person with oral health, but feel that the manual toothbrush has become inconvenient after wearing braces, you can choose a mechanical electric toothbrush that can quickly and comprehensively remove dirt.

2. Pick according to the characteristics of the brush head

With braces on, let’s consider not only our teeth, but also the presence of braces when brushing our teeth. In the choice of brush heads for ordinary people, most of the effects are not very different. But after wearing braces, the state of the oral cavity has changed, and the choice of brush head has become more important.

For example, we should consider what kind of brush head should be selected so that it can penetrate deep into the bracket and remove some bacteria and debris from dead ends. Or what kind of bristles to pick, so that it can be more fine and precise to brush the residue between the teeth.

At this point, we can choose the shape of the brush head and the specification of the bristles.

• The shape of the brush head
  

 

 

 

 

Cleaning braces can cause a lot of trouble for bracers because braces have a bracket attached to each tooth. The bracket is composed of three aspects: groove, bracket wing and base. Its surface is not smooth, but has undulations.

In some products, in order to solve similar problems, a small round head design is applied. The brush head is made into a smaller pattern, and then driven by a motor for 3D wrapping cleaning. In this way, the brackets can be cleaned more cleanly, leaving no residue and preventing oral problems. At the same time, it can improve the cleaning efficiency of interdental and periodontal, which is very suitable for those who wear braces.

Cleaning braces can cause a lot of trouble for bracers because braces have a bracket attached to each tooth. The bracket is composed of three aspects: groove, bracket wing and base. Its surface is not smooth, but has undulations.

For example, we should consider what kind of brush head should be selected so that it can penetrate deep into the bracket and remove some bacteria and debris from dead ends. Or what kind of bristles to pick, so that it can be more fine and precise to brush the residue between the teeth.

• Specifications of the bristles

With the brackets tightened, the gum line can become constricted, so it can be a bit of a hassle when cleaning. At this time, we need to select some more delicate bristles to penetrate deep into the gum line, enlarge the details before cleaning, and get better cleaning efficiency.

First of all, in terms of size, we need to choose some finer bristles. In order to go deeper into the gum line, we can set this value below 0.03mm, preferably 0.01mm, so that the cleaning can reach the interdental, Not affected by braces.

Secondly, we can choose some products with a rounded design on the soft bristles at the top, which can ensure that the finer bristles will not stab the gums and bring negative effects.

3. Pick according to functional design

People who wear braces have different functions when brushing their teeth and those used by ordinary people. For example, the polishing and whitening function that ordinary people love is not useful to the wearer of braces, and some of the functions that they really need for braces are tasteless to ordinary people.

This makes us choose an electric toothbrush that is really suitable for those who wear braces in terms of function. For example, some targeted orthodontic mode functions, pressure-sensing functions, etc.

• Orthodontic cleaning

When the electric toothbrush first came out, it was mainly for the convenience of the disabled. Later, it was continuously developed, adding a lot of functions, and becoming more and more user-friendly. In today’s market, some products have taken into account the wearer of braces, and thus developed an orthodontic cleaning model.

In short, the orthodontic mode is to connect the electric toothbrush to the mobile phone APP through Bluetooth, and after the mode is turned on, the brackets and gingival sulcus are deeply cleaned, so as to achieve the effect of teeth for orthodontic time that cannot be achieved by ordinary electric toothbrushes. Therefore, people who wear braces should choose this kind of toothbrush that is customized for themselves.

• pressure sensing

When a person first puts on the braces, the sensitivity of the teeth to the brush head will change in degree. Because of the existence of brackets, the response of the teeth will be slower when the high-speed rotation speed is turned on. Under the stimulation of this high-speed rotation, pressing the toothbrush forcefully by hand may cause damage to the oral cavity.

So we have to choose a pressure-sensitive product, which has the function of real-time sensing, which can protect the deceleration in an instant. In actual use, if the user exerts more than a predetermined pressure value, the brush head will slow down, which has the effect of protecting the oral gums for the person with braces.

Whether the braces are made of metal or resin, aligners and wires can easily catch food debris. This increases the risk of bacterial buildup, which can lead to tooth decay and gum problems. When you wear braces, you don’t want to have cavities or gingivitis. Of course, it’s best not to have it when the braces are removed.

• small brush head

Since your teeth don’t have a smooth surface to brush with braces, you should choose a toothbrush that allows you to reach the hard-to-reach places that your braces block. Choose a toothbrush with a small head to penetrate those areas more easily and thoroughly clean the gum line where bacteria can build up.

• soft round toothbrush

As you know, wearing braces can be uncomfortable, especially for the first few days after wearing or adjusting your braces. Therefore, when choosing a toothbrush, it is also important not to cause additional irritation to the teeth. The right toothbrush has these things in common:

• Soft nylon bristles: Hard bristles can wear down enamel and exacerbate gum pain from jaw adjustments. A soft toothbrush can effectively clean your teeth without causing this damage.
• Round head bristles: The round head bristles can protect the mouth more effectively, including all parts of the mouth, and avoid oral injuries.
• Variety of bristle shapes: The bristles should be of different lengths and widths (narrow heads, etc.) to reach deep into all areas that might hide food and plaque.

Easy-to-grip handle

The correct size handle can help you control your toothbrush with ease. If choosing a toothbrush for a child, the handle should be slightly larger so that the child can hold the toothbrush well and brush back and forth. Some toothbrushes have silicone grips for extra grip.

Manual, electric and sonic toothbrushes

A study published in the International Clinical Journal of Pediatric Dentistry (IJCPD) found that “all three toothbrushes are well suited for orthodontic patients to use and maintain oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment.” This is definitely good news, but it’s important to note What’s more, users must use all three toothbrushes (sonic, electric and manual) correctly.

Here are some other things to know about these three toothbrushes:

• Both sonic and electric toothbrushes are charged with rechargeable or dry batteries.
• In the IJCPD study, sonic (and ultrasonic) toothbrushes were more effective at cleaning teeth than manual and electric toothbrushes. Sound waves vibrating at high frequencies can better remove plaque and bacteria.
• As for a manual toothbrush designed for cleaning braces (the lowest cost of the three), as long as you use it correctly and carefully remove food debris stuck in the braces, you can also achieve good cleaning results. Some manual toothbrushes designed for cleaning braces are also marked as specially made for orthodontists.

If you have the budget, look for a sonic electric toothbrush with the following features to help you monitor your daily brushing routine more effectively:

• Sensors warn you when brushing too hard
• Reminder every 30 seconds to let you know how long you have been brushing your toothbrush
• There is a stop mode to inform you that two minutes have come
• There are modes that can be adjusted according to the user’s needs, such as cleaning the tongue, etc.
• Has a reminder to replace the brush head
• With bluetooth function, it can be connected to mobile APP for viewingOther brushing tipsAlways supervise younger children: As children under 8 get used to braces, make sure they brush their teeth properly. You can also brush your teeth with your child, while paying attention to whether your child is brushing the right way. For older children, you can also double-check how they brush their teeth.Carry a travel toothbrush with you at all times: You may have meals and snacks at work, school or on the road. Carry a toothbrush (and toothpaste) with you wherever you are so you can clean your braced teeth after eating.Change your toothbrush or brush head every three months: This ensures that the toothbrush on hand can effectively clean your teeth.Of course, daily cleaning between teeth (whether it’s floss, water floss, or other type of interdental cleaning tool) is also important, and with a toothbrush designed for braces and proper cleaning, you or your child will be able to show off a great smile after brushing.As soon as I put the braces on, the doctor took out two props (orthodontic toothbrush + interdental brush) to show me how to brush my teeth correctly and repeatedly told me to pay attention to maintaining oral hygiene, otherwise the teeth will be broken when they are neat.how to brush your teeth?

  When brushing, choose a soft toothbrush, and set the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward the gums. Gently pull the toothbrush back and forth a small distance, including the buccal, lingual, and occlusal surfaces of the teeth; the lingual side of the front teeth should be cleaned with the tip of the toothbrush upright; the surface of the bracket can be cleaned from different angles with the tip of the toothbrush; Rinse with water after brushing your teeth, and then self-check the mirror to see if the dead corners are clean.

  Precautions

  Patients wearing braces should pay special attention to oral hygiene during treatment. If the teeth are not brushed cleanly, there will be food residues and soft scales on the tooth surface and around the brackets. Under the long-term action of oral bacteria, gingival swelling, bleeding, gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth surface demineralization, caries, etc. will occur.

  During the period of orthodontic treatment, if the cleaning is not in place, it is easy to cause tooth decay, stained teeth, etc., you can use a professional orthodontic toothpaste toothbrush, or you can choose a fluoride-containing toothpaste (strong cleaning power) and a soft-bristled toothbrush, it is best not to use drugs Toothpaste or something. It is recommended to brush your teeth after three meals, but you can also use mouthwash if it doesn’t work.

  In addition, you should also pay attention to wearing braces. After wearing braces for the first time, there will be an adaptation period of 1-2 weeks. After each follow-up, the teeth may experience slight pain. This kind of pain is usually tolerable, and the pain generally lasts. 2-3 days or so without medication. Contact your doctor if the pain doesn’t go away or if it keeps getting worse. To relieve pain, cold water in the mouth, soft food, and orthodontic wax can be used.

  In order to avoid the brackets falling off, pay attention to the diet: do not eat food with bones. The following foods should be eaten after deboning: spare ribs, chicken wings, chicken legs, duck necks, rabbit heads, crabs, etc.