How to clean your braces

Brackets are an innovation that helps to improve the state of our teeth, allowing them to have a proper alignment. However, as well as having benefits also has disadvantages. And they are the perfect nest for bacterial plaque. In fact, many serious dental problems can be caused by poor dental hygiene, when you have braces. So, they must be cleaned regularly and in the right way.

Tips for Cleaning Brackets

To keep the different types of brackets clean, you need to give them proper hygiene. In this way, you will avoid the accumulation of plate and tartarYou'll be more likely to do orthodontic work.

Clear metal or sapphire brackets

There are different types of braces with different characteristics. Metal brackets are the most common. These braces have greater strength, are easily replenished and are usually used to effectively treat serious problems in the shape of the teeth. These usually use leagues of different colors, according to the taste of each patient.

Sapphire bracelets are practically imperceptible, since they are transparent and acquire the color of the teeth. That’s why they offer a very good aesthetic. In addition, they don’t produce almost any discomfort like metal bracelets, but they are more expensive.

Both types of brackets are cleaned the same way. Between the two types of brackets, Sapphire are more resistant to dirt. Since they have a microcrystalline surface, the plate cannot accumulate on it. Also, they are not stained with tobacco, coffee or red wine.

On the other hand, traditional or metal brackets require more thorough cleaning, as if they accumulate dirt and plaque.

Cleaning ceramic brackets

There are different types of ceramic bracelets, some are transparent while others have white or ivory shades to hide with their teeth. The good thing about this type of braces is that they are quite effective to align the teeth, they do it in less time than metallic ones.

However, ceramic brackets require more care and more detailed cleaning, since are more likely to be stainedOther than that, they are cleaned in the same way as the other types of braces.

Like brushing your teeth with braces?

The same fact of having braces makes cleaning your teeth a little different from the common one. However, it is not something very difficult to do. Below, we show you the steps you should follow to clean your braces:

• A suitable brush to clean your teeth. Since braces exert strength on the teeth, they can produce sensitivity on the teeth and gums. For that reason, orthodontists usually recommend soft bristles brushesThis way, your teeth will not suffer any damage, nor will you feel any pain. Besides, being soft bristles, they can easily reach various places in your teeth. It is also ideal to use a small head brush.
• The toothpaste better have fluoride. The brackets accumulate food very easily. This facilitates the production of plaque and tartar in the teeth. For that reason, it is better to use a toothpaste with fluoride, since fluorine is in charge of removing bacterial plaque and tartar from teeth.
• Use the right technique. It’s amazing how many people think they know how to clean their teeth properly, but they don’t really know it. Teeth should brush like sweeping dirt out. In that sense, the bottom teeth should brush up. While the top teeth should brush down. Don’t forget to clean the inside of the teeth. Try to get the brush to almost every part of the teeth and brackets.
• Interdental brushes are necessary. Interdental brushes are very useful for cleaning teeth with braces. Not only because you will be able to clean between your teeth, but you will reach those areas between the brackets and the teeth to which the common brush cannot reach.
• Spend the necessary time. For people without braces, the recommended brushing time is 2 minutes, 30 seconds for each semi-arc of the teeth. However, this time will increase by using braces, because the plate builds up faster and the brush does not clean so easily. It is recommended that it takes 3 to 4 minutes. This time can be reduced if you use a dental irrigator and a supersonic brush.
• Don't forget the floss. It uses floss, especially to clean certain places between braces and teeth.
• Use mouthwash. Mouthwashes are also essential to remove food remains and bacterial plaque. You could use Fluorine mouthwashes In any case, it is good that you consult with a dentist.

Plugins for the cleaning of brackets

Now, there are some implements you need to have to properly clean the brackets. Here are:

Dental thread

Tooth floss is very useful to remove all the residue that has remained between the teeth. It can also be used to remove the residue that has remained in some parts of the brackets.

If you want an effective floss, you can use the superfloss that will help you clean different places between your teeth. Using common dental threads can get a little complicated, when you use braces. Superfloss dental threads have different sizes that adapt very well to clean different places between braces and teeth.

Interdental brushes

These brushes are specially designed to reach different places in your teeth. Therefore, they are perfect for cleaning those places that you would normally not be able to clean with a simple toothbrush.

Interdental brushes come in different sizes, depending on the size of your teeth, the space between them and the space between your brackets.

Irrigation

The dental irrigator is essential for cleaning the braces. The dental irrigator fulfills the function of floss and interdental brush in a way more efficient. Clean the back of the arch, between the teeth and between the braces and the teeth. They use a water jet with a suitable pulse not to hurt your gums. If using braces inflames your gums, you can use dental irrigators that help massage and deflate the gums, with a gentle pressure