405.604.3745Best Toothbrush for Braces
April 21, 2023
Wearing braces is an investment in your oral health and a significant step towards achieving a perfect smile. However, to ensure that your braces are effective, you must always keep them clean.
You must brush regularly to remove food and prevent cavities. It is, therefore, vital to learn about the best toothbrush for braces and how to brush your teeth with braces correctly.
How to Keep Your Braces Clean
Oral hygiene is crucial when you wear braces. Failure to clean your teeth properly can lead to various dental problems. Therefore, brushing your teeth at least twice daily and flossing once daily to remove food particles stuck between your teeth and braces is essential.
Moreover, using an interdental brush can help you clean hard-to-reach areas and remove any remaining food debris. It’s also advisable to avoid sugary and starchy foods and drinks that can increase the risk of cavities and enamel erosion.
Remember to schedule regular dental check-ups with your orthodontist or dentist to monitor your oral health.
What Can Happen if You Don’t Clean Your Braces Properly?
If you don’t brush your teeth regularly or clean braces correctly, you may experience the following problems:
Braces can trap food particles and bacteria, leading to plaque buildup and bad breath.
Plaque can cause gum inflammation, causing gingivitis or periodontitis.
Sugary and starchy foods can increase the risk of cavities and enamel erosion.
Neglecting to clean braces can cause discoloration or stains on your teeth.
Why It’s Harder to Brush with Braces
Braces make it harder to brush your teeth effectively because the wires and brackets create more crevices for food particles and bacteria to hide. Additionally, braces can cause tooth sensitivity, making it painful to brush and floss. That’s why using a toothbrush for braces for deep cleaning is crucial.
How to Brush Your Teeth with Braces
Brushing your teeth with braces requires a little more effort and technique. Here are some tips:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush for braces to avoid damaging them or causing gum irritation.
- Brush at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line to thoroughly wash the brackets and wires.
- Use circular motions to wash the front and back of each bracket, and then brush between the brackets and wires. Pay extra attention to the areas around the brackets and wires, as these are the spots where food debris tends to accumulate.
- Remember to brush your tongue to remove any bacteria that cause bad breath.
How Often Should You Brush Your Teeth If You Have Braces?
When wearing braces, experts recommend you brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time, preferably after meals and before bed. Doing so ensures that particles do not become trapped in the wires and brackets, which can cause dental problems.
Flossing should also be done daily with interdental brushes to remove food debris from hard-to-reach areas.
Do You Need a Special Toothbrush for Braces?
While a standard manual toothbrush can effectively clean braces, a toothbrush for braces can be more effective in removing plaque buildup and food remains.
These toothbrushes have specially shaped bristles and brush heads that can wash around the wires without damaging them. Some toothbrushes also have V-shaped bristles that effectively clean the gum line and remove plaque.
Standard Manual Toothbrushes
A standard manual brush can effectively clean teeth with braces if used properly. However, it is important to use a soft-bristled toothbrush that can clean braces around the wires and brackets without damaging them.
The toothbrush should also have a small brush head that can fit into the mouth and around the braces. Triple bristle or specially shaped bristles can help remove food debris and plaque from hard-to-reach areas.
Mini Brush & Kids Size brush
A mini or kids-size brush is for children or adults with smaller mouths. They can be helpful for individuals with braces to scrub around tight spaces and hard-to-reach areas. However, they may not be as effective in cleaning teeth and braces as standard-sized toothbrushes. They may not suit people with larger mouths or more extensive braces.
V-Shaped Brush
A V-shaped brush is designed with a V-shaped bristle pattern to clean braces and between teeth. The bristles are angled towards the wires to reach the tight spaces and remove particles and plaque.
However, V-shaped brushes may only suit some and require a proper effective technique. Consult with your orthodontist or dentist before using a V-shaped brush.
Electric vs Manual Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes are gaining popularity due to their effectiveness in removing plaque and food debris. They come in various styles and designs, like oscillating, rotating, and sonic. However, they can be expensive and require a power source.
Manual brushes are affordable and do not require electricity, making them convenient for travel. They also allow more control and flexibility in cleaning your teeth and braces. However, they may not clean braces as effectively as an electric toothbrush, and brushing with braces requires extra effort to reach all the tight spaces.
Both electric and manual brushes can be efficient in cleaning teeth with braces. However, it comes down to personal preference, budget, and oral health needs.
What Brush is Best for Braces?
Ultimately, the best toothbrush for braces is one that you feel comfortable using and allows you to wash your teeth effectively. While some people prefer electric brushes, others find manual ones work just as well. Brushes with soft bristles are important to avoid damaging your braces or gums. You also have to replace it every three to four months.
In addition to using a good toothbrush for braces, it’s also important to floss and use an interdental brush to remove plaque from between teeth and around brackets. Regular dental check-ups ensure your braces work properly and identify any issues early on.
Choosing the Right Toothbrush for Braces
Keeping your teeth and braces clean is essential for good oral hygiene. While there are toothbrushes for braces, using one is not always necessary. Standard manual brushes can be as useful if you use the right technique and brush regularly.
Ultimately, the best toothbrush for braces is one that you feel comfortable using and allows you to clean braces and teeth effectively.
Orthodontic Arts, your number one Orthodontist in OKC. Our Certified Orthodontist provides the latest and greatest Orthodontic practices to our clients in the OKC and Midtown area. Orthodontic Arts is the best place for child and teen orthodontics as well as adult orthodontics. Be sure to ask about Invisalign and invisible braces! Contact us today at (405) 604-3745 or request an appointment.