| Who
needs orthodontic treatment? |
| How
long does the treatment take? |
| How
do I clean my teeth properly while wearing braces? |
| How
do I floss with fixed braces? |
| Are
there specially designed products for use with braces?
|
| When
it comes to oral care and braces what are the most
important things to remember? |
| |
| Orthodontic
treatment not only improves the look of your teeth,
it may prevent bigger dental problems from developing
later in life. While you are wearing braces, you
must remember that your treatment is affected by
how well you care for your teeth and gums. Good
oral care at home involves effectively removing
plaque from your teeth, gums and braces every day.
It will contribute to the continued health of your
teeth and gums. |
|
| Who
needs orthodontic treatment? |
| Not everyone's
teeth are perfectly straight. In fact, many people
have crooked or overcrowded teeth. In addition,
crooked or crowded teeth may cause uneven wear of
tooth surfaces or jaw problems that may lead to
complications later in life. They can also be difficult
to clean properly, which makes them prone to tooth
decay and gum disease.
While it is most common during childhood and
adolescence (from around age eight and up), an
increasing number of adults today are also opting
for orthodontic treatment. |
|
|
How long does the treatment take? |
| Treatment
times vary, but it may take from 18 to 30 months
to complete. For adults, treatment may take a little
longer because the facial bones have stopped growing.
But whatever your age, keeping your teeth and gums
healthy during orthodontic treatment will help keep
treatment time on track. |
|
|
How do I clean my teeth properly while wearing braces? |
| During treatment,
fixed braces or a removable appliance may be worn
to gradually move teeth to their correct position
in the mouth. The type of braces that you have will
determine your daily oral care routine: |
| |
| Fixed
braces: cleaning teeth and gums |
| At first,
doing a good job removing plaque from your teeth
and along the gumline may seem difficult with fixed
braces. But keep at it: with a bit of practice,
it will get easier - here is some advice on doing
it right: |
| |
 |
First,
take off any elastic bands and removable parts
(like headgear) |
|
Use
a dentist recommended brushing method - here
is one example: |
|
|
Place
your brush at a 45 angle to the gum. Apply
gentle pressure as you brush with short back
and forth strokes, cleaning each tooth individually
for about 10 seconds |
|
|
Use
the same brushing motion on all inner and
outer tooth surfaces |
|
|
Don't
forget to brush the chewing surfaces of your
teeth - and make sure you reach the teeth
at the back too |
 |
|
|
Finish
by cleaning around your braces, brushing first
from the top and then from the bottom. Brush
gently and take care not to break or bend
any of the brackets or wires |
|
| |
| Removal
appliances: cleaning your teeth and gums |
| This is a
little more straightforward because once you take
the appliance out of your mouth, you can brush and
floss your teeth as normal. However, it is important
that you carry out these extra steps: |
| |
|
Make
sure that you gently brush the gum areas that
are covered by your appliance. This includes
the roof of your mouth if you wear the appliance
on your top teeth |
|
Using
a toothbrush and toothpaste, clean your appliance,
rinsing thoroughly with water afterwards |
|
|
|
How do I floss with fixed braces? |
| Ask your dentist
or orthodontist to show you how to clean around
your braces: |
| |
|
Choose
a "threading floss" with a stiffened
end that threads it through the gap between
each tooth - above the wire for your upper
teeth and below the wire for your lower teeth |
|
Curve
the floss around each tooth in a "C"
shape and gently move it up and down the side
of each tooth, including under the gumline.
Unroll a new section of floss as you move
from tooth to tooth |
|
 |
|
|
Are there specially designed products for use with
braces? |
| Your
orthodontist will recommend a combination of home
oral care products to help you get the most out
of your daily routine. Here are some examples of
some specially designed products: |
| |
| Orthodontic
toothbrushes: these are brushes, like
the
Oral-B Orthodontic Toothbrush, that have bristles
trimmed into a "V" shape for cleaning
above and below the brackets and wire.
In addition, the specially designed Oral-B
Ortho Brushhead refill, which is suitable
for use with all Oral-B power toothbrushes, has
a bristle design that makes it ideal for cleaning
around braces. |
| |
 |
| |
| Special
Flosses: Fixed braces interfere with normal
flossing techniques. Instead, use a threading
floss, like Oral-B
SuperFloss®. It is unique because it has
three sections in each strand: a stiffened end
that allows it to be threaded in between your
teeth, above and below the wires of your braces;
a spongy floss, to clean in wide spaces, and a
regular floss for cleaning teeth with standard
or tight spaces. Toothpaste, fluoride or an antibacterial
agent can be used on the spongy floss section. |
| |
| Interdental
brushes: these have very small heads with
fine bristles, perfect for cleaning under wires
and between teeth |
| |
 |
| |
| The Oral-B
Interdental Brush System comes with a handle
and two disposable brushheads - you just need to
replace the brushhead when the bristles show wear.
And for cleaning between your teeth when you are
on the move, the Oral-B compact interdental brush
(with travel cap) is an ideal size for your purse
or pocket. |
| |
| |
 |
|
Irrigators: These products, such as the
Oral-B
OxyJet®, use a pressurized stream
of water to help clean around the orthodontic
brackets and along the gumline. The OxyJet
irrigator also has adjustable settings for
use on sensitive areas and has a water tower
large enough to clean the whole mouth. As
an alternative to water, the OxyJet irrigator
can also be used with mouthrinse. |
|
|
|
When it comes to oral care and braces what are the
most important things to remember? |
| |
|
Brush
your teeth and braces, at least three times
a day (and especially after eating). |
|
Clean
between teeth at least once daily-and definitely
just before you go to bed. |
|
Use
a fluoride toothpaste; fluoride is proven
to help prevent cavities. |
|
Use
a fluoride mouth rinse or fluoride supplements
as directed by your dentist to help reduce
the risk of cavities. |
|
Carry
your toothbrush and floss with you at all
times so that you can clean your teeth even
when you are not at home. |
|
Continue
to visit your dentist for regular check-ups |
|
Avoid
frequent sugary snacks especially sticky foods
that can damage your braces and increase your
risk for cavities |
|
| |
