Keeping teeth and gums healthy is paramount when wearing braces. Establishing good cleaning habits for braces is essential to prevent food and bacteria build up and avoid gum disease, tooth decay, and prevent dental issues. This article provides a brief guide on how to clean your teeth when wearing the teeth straightening treatments available at Bright & White Dental Spa.
Invisalign
Invisalign uses clear, custom-made, removable aligners to move your teeth little by little until they are straight and even. Each aligner is worn for around 2 weeks before being replaced by the next as they gradually move your teeth to the ideal final position.
The most effective way to clean your Invisalign aligners is by removing the retainers and brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water using Invisalign Cleaning Crystals, which are cleaning tablets that will keep your aligners clean and clear. This should be carried out every morning and evening to avoid the build-up of bacteria and plaque.
You shouldn’t eat or drink with the aligners, so take them out before eating to ensure they don’t get damaged. You should also brush your teeth after every meal for two minutes before re-inserting the aligners to ensure good oral hygiene and to make sure any food or debris isn’t trapped behind the aligners.
Six Month Smiles
Six Month Smiles is a fixed brace that uses small, clear, discreet tooth-coloured wires that gently and painlessly move teeth into place. This treatment is typically completed in 4-9 months and takes around 3-7 adjustments, depending on the individual’s case. This is a fast and effective method as teeth are moved securely at a faster speed to a traditional brace.
Fixed braces like Six Month Smiles provide more surfaces for food and debris to get trapped between like wires and brackets. Hence, it is important to ensure all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and all food and plaque are removed to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Using an electric toothbrush, spend a minimum of two minutes after every meal cleaning the teeth using fluoride toothpaste. Using back and forth and small circular motions, make sure to cover all surfaces of the tooth including angling the toothbrush 45 degrees to reach the gum line, under brackets, the top of brackets, and between wires so that you sufficiently clean all areas of the teeth.
You should also floss using a specialist interdental floss brush that you can use to clean under the braces and in-between the wires and teeth to remove all food and bacteria. You can also use a fluoride mouthwash to freshen breath and protect against decay.
When wearing braces you should avoid sugary foods and drinks as these will let bacteria and plaque build up, avoid acidic drinks as this will wear your enamel, and avoid hard foods such as apples and chewy foods like chewing gum as these can break the brace.
Fastbraces
Fastbraces are fixed braces like Six Month Smiles. Fastbraces are fast, safe, easy, and do not require tooth extraction as is typically required with traditional braces. They use the latest breakthrough technology including triangular design and heat activated wiring to straighten the teeth faster than standard braces, with adjustments made every 5 weeks and treatment lasting around 3-10 months.
Like Six Month Smiles, Fastbraces require a fixed brace cleaning method. Braces provide additional surfaces for debris, plaque, and acids to collect in difficult-to-clean areas, such as wires and brackets, increasing the chance of tooth decay, bacteria, and gum disease.
Brush teeth after every meal for a minimum of two minutes using an electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Brush all tooth surfaces using circular and back and forth movements including all upper and lower teeth and biting surfaces, angling the toothbrush at 45 degrees at the gumline and above and below brackets. This will ensure all hard to reach areas are clean of food and plaque.
Floss between wires and teeth daily using interdental floss and use a fluoride mouthwash to prevent cavities. Be sure to avoid sugary foods and drinks and avoid hard to bite and chewy foods too.
Teeth Straightening at Bright & White Dental Spa
For more tips and advice on brushing, flossing and dental hygiene, or for questions about braces and to find out more about our Invisalign, Six Month Smiles, and Fastbraces teeth straightening options, get in touch or book an appointment today.
