To effectively brush your teeth when you have orthodontic elastics, the most crucial step is to always remove your elastics before you begin brushing. This ensures a thorough cleaning of your teeth, braces, and gums.
The Golden Rule: Always Remove Your Orthodontic Elastics
It's essential to remove any elastics, bands, or other removable orthodontic pieces from your mouth before you start your brushing routine. Once removed, place them in a safe, clean spot where they won't get lost or damaged.
Why remove them?
- Thorough Cleaning: Elastics can obstruct your toothbrush bristles, preventing them from reaching all surfaces of your teeth and braces. Removing them allows for a comprehensive clean around brackets, wires, and along the gumline.
- Prevent Damage: Brushing over elastics can stretch, weaken, or even break them, compromising their effectiveness in moving your teeth.
- Improved Oral Hygiene: Removing elastics makes it easier to dislodge food particles and plaque that can accumulate around your orthodontic appliances.
Before you even start brushing, consider swishing a little water around the interior of your mouth. This simple action can help loosen food particles and other debris, making them easier to remove during the brushing process.
Your Step-by-Step Brushing Routine with Braces
After removing your elastics, follow these steps for optimal oral hygiene:
- Prepare Your Mouth: Swish with water to dislodge loose food particles.
- Brush Around Brackets & Wires: Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, gently clean around each bracket, above and below the archwire. Angle the brush to clean both the top and bottom edges of the brackets, working from the gumline down and then from the chewing surface up.
- Brush All Tooth Surfaces: Systematically brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of every tooth. Pay extra attention to the areas where your braces meet your teeth.
- Clean the Gumline: Angle your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gumline and gently brush to remove plaque and food debris that accumulate there.
- Brush Your Tongue: Don't forget to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
- Floss Daily: Use floss threaders or orthodontic floss designed to glide under your archwire. Carefully thread the floss between each tooth and move it up and down against the side of each tooth. An interdental brush can also be very effective for cleaning between wires and brackets.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse your mouth with water or an antimicrobial mouthwash (if recommended by your orthodontist) to wash away any remaining debris and dislodged plaque.
- Reapply Elastics: Once your teeth are clean and rinsed, you can reapply your orthodontic elastics as instructed by your orthodontist.
Essential Tools for Oral Hygiene with Braces
Having the right tools can make a significant difference in maintaining clean teeth and healthy gums while wearing braces:
- Soft-Bristled Toothbrush: Manual or electric toothbrushes with soft bristles are ideal for cleaning around braces without causing damage.
- Interdental Brushes: These tiny brushes are excellent for cleaning in tight spaces between brackets, under archwires, and between teeth.
- Floss Threaders or Orthodontic Floss: Essential for getting floss under your archwire to clean between your teeth effectively.
- Fluoride Toothpaste: Helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities.
- Antimicrobial Mouthwash: Can help reduce bacteria and inflammation, but always use it as advised by your orthodontist.
Tips for Effective Elastic Wear and Brushing
To ensure your treatment progresses smoothly and your oral health remains top-notch:
- Always Carry Spares: Keep a few extra elastics with you at all times in case one breaks or gets lost.
- Follow Orthodontist's Instructions: Wear your elastics exactly as prescribed regarding placement, duration, and frequency.
- Replace Elastics as Directed: Your orthodontist will advise you on how often to change your elastics (usually daily) to maintain their effectiveness. Worn-out elastics lose their elasticity and become less effective.
- Never Double Up: Do not wear more elastics than prescribed, as this can put excessive force on your teeth and potentially cause damage.
- Contact Your Orthodontist: If you run out of elastics, break an elastic hook, or have any concerns, contact your orthodontist promptly.
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is critical during orthodontic treatment to prevent issues like cavities, gum disease, and discoloration. For more information on caring for your braces, you can consult resources like the American Association of Orthodontists.
Brushing Guidelines for Orthodontic Patients
| Aspect | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Frequency | At least two times a day (ideally after every meal and snack) |
| Duration | Minimum of two minutes each time |
| Toothbrush | Soft-bristled, manual or electric |
| Toothpaste | Fluoride toothpaste |
| Key Focus | Around brackets, along the gumline, all tooth surfaces, tongue |
| Elastics | Always remove before brushing |
