Advantages/disadvantages loose vs. fixed braces
A great advantage of loose braces is that the therapy can be started very early and the young patients at that age participate much better than later in puberty. Another advantage is the fact that the appliance can always be removed, which is an advantage in certain everyday situations. It also makes oral hygiene easier, since teeth and braces are brushed separately.With the removable braces, jaw malpositions can also be treated much better.
The possibility of removing the braces is also a disadvantage, as they require good cooperation from the patient and in many cases simply gather dust on the bedside table. The fixed braces, on the other hand, cannot be removed, which is why the cooperation factor is not so important here. When it comes to hygiene, the situation is quite different again.
The brackets and wires form excellent niches in which food residues can accumulate and caries can form more quickly. Therefore, frequent and accurate brushing of the teeth is necessary, which can be very tedious in the long run. Fixed braces, as opposed to loose ones, are the means of choice when it comes to correcting malpositioned teeth. As you can see, both appliances have their advantages and disadvantages and often have to be used in combination to achieve the desired result.
Care of loose braces
The cleaning of loose braces is an important aspect, because neglected hygiene of the braces leads to the formation of a microbiological film on the surface, which is harmful to the teeth. When cleaning the braces correctly, one should make sure that the braces are cleaned at least twice a day. It is best to combine this with brushing the teeth.
The best way to do this is to use a normal toothbrush and toothpaste with which you clean your braces normally. Then rinse them with lukewarm water and dry them. You should make sure that not too much force is exerted on the wire elements, otherwise they can bend and in the worst case the braces no longer fit.
Under no circumstances should boiling water be used for cleaning, otherwise the plastic base will melt. Furthermore, weekly cleaning in vinegar water is recommended. To do this, take a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water and put the braces in for half an hour.
Afterwards it is cleaned with a brush and lukewarm water. Using this advice ensures optimal care of the braces. If the braces start to stink, it may be because they are not cleaned regularly.
Bacteria accumulate on the surface of the braces and cause the unpleasant smell. Therefore, it is recommended to clean the appliance twice a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Another reason may be that the wearer suffers from bad breath.
The bad smelling scents stick to the braces and cause the braces to smell unpleasant as well. In this case, oral hygiene should be improved. Often the use of mouth rinsing solutions and a tongue cleaner helps.