Cleaning of fixed braces | The cleaning of braces

Cleaning of fixed braces

If you wear fixed braces, cleaning the orthodontic appliance is rather uncomplicated. However, the ideal dental care around the brackets is much more problematic but all the more important. Harmful influences of the brackets on the tooth substance can only be avoided if food residues and bacterial metabolic products are thoroughly removed.

Braces that are behind the teeth are automatically cleaned better by the tongue than braces that are on the outside. Brushing should be started alternately in the lower and upper jaw. On even calendar days it is recommended to start in the upper jaw and on odd days in the lower jaw.

The front of the teeth can be divided into two parts, one above the wire and one below the wire. Both parts have to be cleaned thoroughly one after the other when cleaning braces. For effective cleaning without damaging the gums, the brush head should be placed on the tooth at a 45° angle and moved back and forth for about 5 – 10 seconds.

This procedure is repeated on each individual tooth until the entire jaw is cleaned. It is important to clean the gums as well to avoid plaque deposits on the gumline and underneath the gum. Extreme caution must be exercised, as too much pressure can cause irritation and promote gum recession.

After the front surfaces of all teeth have been cleaned, cleaning of the occlusal surfaces and the inner surfaces of the teeth should follow. It is recommended to use a toothbrush with a small brush head when cleaning. When choosing toothpaste, it is beneficial to choose a cream with fluoride.

In order to also clean the tooth surface directly below the wire, small interspace brushes can be used. The dental care should be completed and finished with the cleaning of the interdental spaces. Special staining tablets can be used to check your own brushing behaviour from time to time, because as soon as they are dissolved with a little water inside the oral cavity, the still unbrushed tooth areas stain and become visible.

The electric toothbrush in combination with toothpaste is considered a good aid for thorough daily braces cleaning without damaging the fixed braces. The fast rotation of the electric toothbrush gently removes deposits and slight discolorations. Nevertheless, care should be taken not to exert too much pressure with the electric brush and to thoroughly clean all areas, including the braces.

The cleaning results of the toothbrush are satisfactory and it is considered the best care after wearing braces. However, the toothbrush is not sufficient for the hard to reach places under the arches and in the interdental spaces.For these areas, additional dental floss or interdental brushes must be used to ensure that cleaning is adequate. The mouth shower is especially suitable for cleaning firmly stuck food residues in the interdental spaces and can be used as an additional aid for cleaning with toothbrush and dental floss in case of fixed braces.

The mouth shower is not sufficient as a sole cleaning agent, as it can only remove soft food residues and does not loosen plaque on the teeth. Therefore, it can only be used additionally and cannot replace a toothbrush or dental floss. Many dentists and orthodontists refuse to use oral showers because if used incorrectly, food residues can be pressed into the gum pocket, which in the worst case can lead to inflammation and the spread of bacteria into the bloodstream.