How To Manage Oral Health During Orthodontic Treatment

If you have teeth misalignment and bite issues you will most likely be a suitable candidate for orthodontic treatment. This type of treatment will work great in providing functional, healthy smiles and straight teeth that will allow proper function. 

Besides their many benefits, orthodontic treatments come with their own challenges, which we will discuss in detail. Continue reading if you are interested in learning more about managing oral health during orthodontic treatment. 

Importance Of Oral Hygiene With Orthodontic Appliances

The most used types of orthodontic treatment are braces and clear aligners, also known as Invisalign. Before you start your journey you should have one thing clear, oral hygiene plays a huge part in the success of the treatment.

During this time your teeth and gums need extra care as they are more prone to bacteria accumulation and periodontal disease. If this important aspect is neglected you will face a lot of challenges that go beyond aesthetics. 

The Impact Of Orthodontics On Dental Hygiene

If you decide to go through with the orthodontic treatments you should know that this comes with a set of challenges especially when it comes to oral hygiene. This is especially true with braces since they are composed of brackets and wires making it easier for the food to get stuck in between. 

Since it will be difficult to clean between them most people tend to neglect it all together. However it is important to understand that food accumulation will lead to plaque buildup, development of cavities and higher risk of periodontal disease.

Let’s delve into more detail on how having orthodontic appliances will affect your dental hygiene routine.

Increased Risk of Cavities

Your teeth are more vulnerable to cavities when wearing braces. Plaque formation is made easier by the brackets’ ability to capture food particles. 

Cavities can develop if you don’t properly clean your teeth because the acid from plaque can dissolve the enamel. For this reason, brushing is essential to get rid of any food particles and plaque that may have become lodged after each meal.

Gum Disease Concerns

Gums are also very important when it comes to oral health. If neglected, poor oral hygiene will develop into gingivitis which is the early stage of gum disease. The main symptoms will be red swollen gums that are constantly bleeding especially during brushing. 

If neglected, gingivitis will result in periodontitis, which is the most severe case of gum disease. During this stage the gums will begin to recede exposing the roots.

If you notice any strange things happening in your gums it will be a good idea to discuss it with your dentist. Proper dental hygiene and regular dental examinations will ensure your gums remain healthy throughout the whole orthodontic treatment time. 

Brushing Techniques For Braces And Aligners

Our teeth are composed of different layers with the enamel being the first one. This layer will be greatly impacted by the foods and beverages that we consume.

If we don’t brush our teeth regularly, plaque will form on top of the teeth that will transform into tartar which is a hard yellow material that sticks to the teeth. Once tartar is developed it will only be removed by a professional dentist. 

Individuals who wear braces are more prone to plaque and tartar since it will be harder for them to properly clean their teeth due to the brackets and wires. However there are still many techniques that will make this process easier. 

This will require a little more time and effort every morning and night. Once you get used to it, it will be much easier. 

Make It Routine

If you are going through an orthodontic treatment, your teeth will be more prone to develop plaque due to food accumulation between the brackets and wires. Due to this bacteria will have more time and food to feed into. 

The best thing to do in this case will be brushing teeth regularly after every meal if possible. If not we suggest at least rinsing the mouth with water. 

Start with a mouth rinse

Another important aspect of maintaining good oral hygiene while on orthodontic treatment will be choosing the right toothbrush and floss. Since there are many options out there, ask your dentist for a more specific recommendation.

The first thing to do before brushing your teeth will be to raise your mouth with a little water. Swish It around the mouth for a couple of seconds and then spit it out. This will help loosen food particles making the brushing process easier. If you have elastic bands or Invisalign just remove them before brushing and continue with the process.

Keep the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle

To begin, softly brush along the gum line while holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. After that, adjust the toothbrush’s angle to gently brush the tops of your brackets. 

Next, move the toothbrush to an upward angle so you can brush behind the wire and brackets. Make sure every tooth is clean. Afterwards, wash your teeth’s inner and chewing surfaces.

Take Your Time

Oral hygiene will take more time if you are going through an orthodontic treatment. You should thoroughly brush your teeth carefully in order to be sure that everything is clear. This process can take 2 minutes or more. Although it sounds more complicated once you get used this will become normal. 

Sometimes, the orthodontist will also recommend other dental appliances such as interdental brushes which will remove the remaining food particles. These brushes are small and flexible and reach every space under and around the brackets and wires. 

Floss

Flossing is also known as another important tool of oral hygiene. However, using dental floss while having braces can be more difficult especially if you are new to it. 

Use a floss threader to guide the string floss around your braces if you’re using it. When applying the floss to your teeth and gums, always use mild pressure. As an alternative, you can clean the narrow spaces between your teeth using a water flosser. As you can see there are many options that will make this process much easier.

Rinse Again

After brushing and flossing we recommend another mouth rinse. This time with an antibacterial mouthwash to help eliminate bacteria and freshen the breath. 

Check Your Work

If you have time, after brushing your teeth we recommend taking another look at your mouth to check the work. This way you will be able to understand whether you did the work well or if you should repeat any of the steps again. If you have rubber bands now it’s the time to place them again.  

Flossing And Interdental Cleaning Methods

Flossing will also be important during your orthodontic treatment journey. During orthodontic treatment, interdental cleaning keeps your mouth healthy and clean, which improves your general oral health once your braces are removed.

One of the most important methods to stop plaque from accumulating between your teeth and along the gum line is to clean between your teeth. If plaque continues to accumulate, it will solidify into tartar, which will irritate and inflame the gums and eventually lead to gum disease. 

In addition to being a major health concern, gum disease can cause teeth to fall out, which might cause huge problems and make the orthodontic treatment fail. 

These interdental cleaning tools are easily accessible and make the whole process much easier, especially for patients with braces. Practising a regular oral hygiene routine is very important during this time, as it helps achieve perfectly straight teeth.

Dietary Adjustments To Protect Teeth And Braces

If you are thinking of getting braces you should know that there are some necessary adjustments to be made. Besides oral hygiene these adjustments are also related to diet.

During this time, our teeth and gums will be in their most vulnerable state especially in the beginning and you need to be careful with what you eat in order to keep them healthy and in place. 

Here are what you should look out for once you get braces:

Eat soft foods

After getting braces you need to stick to a soft food diet at least until you are comfortable. Some of the foods you should consume include vegetable soup, mashed potatoes, eggs and yoghurt. Once you feel ready you can start consuming more solid foods.

Cut food into small pieces

We recommend our patient to cut two pieces of food in small pieces. This will make it much easier for them to enjoy what they like and reduce the risk of food getting stuck between the braces. 

Avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods

Hard, sticky and chewy foods should all be avoided during the orthodontic treatment as they can damage the brackets and wires making the cleaning process much more difficult. Some of these foods that you should avoid include: gums, popcorn seeds, nuts, hard candies, hard fruits and meat. 

Avoid hot and cold foods

For the few days after getting braces it is recommended to avoid very cold and hot foods and beverages. This can irritate your gums and make them more sensitive. Once you get adjusted to the braces you can try eating the foods you like. 

Drink plenty of water

Drinking water is essential when it comes to oral health especially for those who are going through an orthodontic treatment. Water will be very useful as it will help remove food particles from the small spaces between the teeth and braces. 

Preventing Bad Breath And Gum Issues

Maintaining a healthy diet will be crucial when it comes to preventing bad breath and gum issues while you are going through an orthodontic treatment. We recommend eating plenty of protein, dairy, grains as this will help support bone and gum health.

Another thing you should refrain from consuming are sugary beverages. This is important because sugar will get stuck in the tooth enamel and if not brushed it will lead to bad breath. The only thing to consume during this time will be water. Optimal hydration will remove bacteria and food particles from teeth which can lead to bad breath.

Brushing and flossing at least twice a day is essential. If you have braces, brushing after every meal helps prevent food buildup. However, if that’s not always possible, do your best to maintain good oral hygiene. Flossing on the other hand can seem difficult but still remains a necessity. Using interdental brushes will also make the process easier so you should give it a try. Afterwards, you can also use a mouthwash to make sure the teeth are squeaky clean.

While going through with orthodontic treatment, especially braces, you will need to visit the orthodontist regularly. During these visits they will track the process and decide whether any additional arrangements should be done. If you have any questions regarding the treatment now will be the right time to ask them.