During the braces treatment, wearing braces and brackets makes oral hygiene more difficult than usual. If food debris and plaque are not effectively removed, you are at a high risk of developing problems such as tooth decay, gingivitis, and bad breath. Therefore, people with braces greatly need the support of specialized cleaning tools to prevent oral diseases as much as possible. Here are 10 essential oral hygiene tools for people with braces that you should not miss.
Interdental brush
According to recommendations from dental professionals, people with braces should combine interdental brushes and regular toothbrushes for more effective oral hygiene. The reason is that regular toothbrushes cannot completely clean food debris stuck deep in between teeth and around the appliances, which can easily lead to gingivitis or tooth decay.
Interdental brushes are cleverly designed with a head consisting of a twisted steel wire in the middle, surrounded by ultra-thin, soft bristles that can easily penetrate the narrowest gaps between teeth. This allows the device to remove plaque that regular toothbrushes cannot reach, providing more comprehensive oral health protection.
Soft-bristled toothbrush
When wearing braces, the appliance system continuously exerts force on the teeth and gums, making them more sensitive and weaker than usual. Therefore, using a soft-bristled toothbrush is the optimal solution for cleaning the mouth while ensuring safety for weak teeth and gums.
Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a compact head that fits your mouth, effectively cleaning areas around brackets and archwires without causing damage. Conversely, using a hard-bristled toothbrush can lead to several serious issues such as gum bleeding, enamel erosion, mouth abrasions, or even bracket detachment or archwire displacement – directly affecting the treatment progress.
Dental floss
Dentists always recommend that people with braces use dental floss to clean food debris stuck in between teeth, around archwires, and brackets – areas that are difficult for regular toothbrushes to reach. This dental tool is designed to be sturdy, small, flexible, and thin, making it easy to thread through small gaps without affecting the mouth.
Compared to toothpicks, dental floss is a completely safer and more effective alternative. Regular use helps prevent widely spaced or misaligned teeth, enamel damage, reduces food getting stuck between teeth, and thereby significantly lowers the risk of tooth decay.
Water Flosser
When it comes to oral hygiene support devices, the water flosser is an indispensable tool. This device effectively removes plaque from teeth and food debris stuck in between teeth, while gently massaging the gums, contributing to healthy gums and preventing oral problems such as periodontitis, tartar, or bad breath.
With just 1 minute of use per day, you can clean your teeth, maintain a clean oral cavity, eliminate unpleasant odors, and enjoy a comfortable feeling throughout the day.
One of the prominent products today is the Halio Professional Cordless Oral Irrigator with 6 modes. This device uses powerful water pressure combined with a pulse spray of 1,800 times/minute, helping to remove up to 99.99% of food debris deeply embedded between teeth, providing optimal oral hygiene effectiveness.
The device is equipped with 6 flexible cleaning modes, suitable for various users such as people with braces, those with dental crowns, or implants, etc. With water pressure levels ranging from gentle to strong, the device can be adjusted to suit individual needs.
Another outstanding feature of the product is its specialized orthodontic nozzle set, which effectively cleans brackets and hard-to-reach areas, ensuring more thorough oral hygiene than ever before.
Tongue brush
Many people often focus solely on brushing their teeth and neglect an equally important area – the tongue. In reality, the tongue is prone to accumulating tongue coating, food debris, and is an ideal environment for tongue bacteria to thrive if not cleaned properly and regularly.
Using a specialized tongue brush daily is an essential solution for cleaning braces and comprehensive oral hygiene. This habit not only helps clean plaque but also aids in removing bad breath-causing bacteria, effectively reducing the risk of gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth decay.
Mouthwash
For people with braces, mouthwash is an indispensable supportive product in their braces care routine. Thanks to beneficial active ingredients such as Fluoride, Boric acid, Menthol, Zinc Sulfate, etc., mouthwash helps clean the oral cavity, eliminate harmful bacteria, provide fresh breath, and effectively contribute to protecting oral health.
However, to ensure safety and achieve the best results, you should prioritize choosing products from reputable, well-known brands with clear origins. This helps avoid counterfeit or low-quality products that could negatively affect the orthodontic treatment process.
Orthodontic wax
Orthodontic wax is a powerful aid that helps protect the mouth from common injuries during the use of braces. This product acts as a soft cushion, separating the appliance from the oral mucosa, thereby minimizing friction that causes pain, abrasions, bleeding, or even ulcers and canker sores.
With appropriate flexibility and strong adhesion, orthodontic wax easily adheres to brackets, creating a smooth feel and minimizing damage to the oral mucosa after braces treatment. This is an essential choice for those undergoing orthodontic treatment, especially in the initial days after appliance placement – when the mucosa is not yet accustomed to continuous friction.
Single-tuft toothbrush
A single-tuft toothbrush is a specialized cleaning tool with a compact head design, making it easy to reach and thoroughly clean each tooth. It is particularly useful for cleaning misaligned teeth or around brackets when wearing braces – areas that are often difficult to access with a regular toothbrush. With its sophisticated design and superior cleaning ability, the single-tuft toothbrush is an ideal choice to help you maintain optimal oral health every day.
Why is a braces cleaning kit essential?
Braces not only help improve aesthetics but also enhance oral health. However, the use of orthodontic appliances and brackets complicates the cleaning process. Plaque and food debris easily accumulate and are difficult to remove, making it challenging to maintain oral hygiene.
This increases the risk of oral diseases in people with braces. Therefore, owning a braces cleaning kit is very important throughout the orthodontic treatment process, helping to protect oral health and prevent potential problems.
We will explore the necessity of a braces cleaning kit and review the essential products for people currently wearing braces. We hope the information from My Auris Dental Clinic will provide you with more tips for more effective daily oral health care.
Notes when using oral hygiene tools with braces
When using oral hygiene tools, especially during braces treatment, you need to follow the instructions correctly to achieve the best results. After cleaning your braces, don’t forget to clean the tools, especially interdental brushes and soft-bristled toothbrushes. If the brush head is not thoroughly cleaned before drying, bacteria can remain, leading to serious oral diseases.
Cleaning tools such as toothbrushes and interdental brushes need to be replaced regularly and periodically. Using a toothbrush for too long can negatively affect oral health. If you use a water flosser, be careful as this device can easily be damaged if not used correctly. In case of a malfunction, you can take the device to the place of purchase for warranty service.
