How do I look after my teeth with braces?

How do I look after my teeth with braces?

On 14 October 202025 June 2024In Orthodontic treatment

Wearing braces is a chance for a beautiful and straight smile. It also brings with it some negative consequences: faster accumulation of plaque, increased risk of gum disease or bad breath. The reason for this is the problem of maintaining proper oral hygiene, as food residues often lodge between the brackets and are hard to remove. So how do you look after your teeth with braces?

 

Let's start with the basics. 

What causes crooked teeth and how can this be changed?

Crooked teeth are most often caused by improper care of milk teeth that have fallen out or had to be extracted too early. Eighths are also responsible for an embarrassing smile, which can press on the arch while crooking the other teeth.

If you would like to learn more about this topic we recommend our article - Crooked teeth - causes and how to get rid of an embarrassing smile.

We guess, however, that you are much more interested in solving this problem. The most popular and effective method of correcting malocclusion and straightening teeth is braces. Depending on the age of the patient, as well as the condition of the teeth, a specific brace is selected.

There is now a very large selection of braces, but they can be divided into two groups: fixed and removable. You can find out more about each category, as well as specific braces, in our article -. Types of braces in the UK - what to choose?

Whatever type you will be or already wear, you will need to pay much more attention to your oral hygiene during treatment. So how do you look after your teeth with braces and the braces themselves?

The image shows a model of teeth made of different coloured metal braces placed on a turquoise ground. At the very front is a white dental instrument, most likely a dental probe, used during oral procedures. The photograph is shot in close-up, focusing on the details of the dentition model.

How do I look after my braces?

Orthodontic braces, whether fixed or removable, are a foreign body in the mouth. You have to get used to it, but also take care of it.

Firstly, avoid hard fruit, vegetables or snacks such as nuts to avoid damaging the individual components. It's also a good idea to avoid sticky foods such as sweet drinks or soft candies that cling to the camera.

Secondly, to look after your braces properly, reach for special, dedicated products. Which ones?

  • Profiled toothbrushes, the cross-section of which is arranged in a V-shape to facilitate tooth brushing.
  • Interdental brushes, with which you can clean the spaces between your teeth or under the arch of your braces. You can also use dedicated floss for braces.
  • Pastes with a special texture and formulation to soothe irritation resulting from damage to the mucous membrane caused by braces.
  • An orthodontic wax that, when applied to the sharp parts of the appliance, protects the oral cavity from damage.

The image shows a person washing an artificial denture jaw under running water. The hands of the person holding the jaw and a pink denture cleaning brush are visible. The image focuses on the denture hygiene process without revealing the identity of the owner.

In the case of removable braces Above all, remember to put it on and take it off carefully. But rest assured, at your appointment your orthodontist will show you how to do it properly. Importantly, removable orthodontic braces should always be removed before eating and drinking. This will not only keep it clean, but will also take care of your oral hygiene.

What other rules should you follow if you want to look after your removable braces?

  • Clean your camera at least twice a day
  • Use toothpaste dedicated to cleaning your hearing aids; ordinary toothpaste can damage your hearing aids due to its abrasive properties.
  • Do not rinse the apparatus in boiling water; it can deform the acrylic parts.
  • Use a separate toothbrush only for cleaning braces.
  • Remember, too, that once the camera has been thoroughly cleaned, it should be dried and stored in a special box.

Caring for your braces alone is not enough, remember proper oral hygiene.  

The photograph shows a close-up of the smiling face of a person wearing braces on their teeth. Only the mouth, nose and cheeks are visible in the image. The image is intended to demonstrate the effects of orthodontic treatment.

How do I look after my teeth with braces?

The brackets and brackets are permanently attached to the teeth making oral hygiene more difficult. Therefore, you will have to devote more time to brushing your teeth every day. You will also need the special "tools" we mentioned earlier.

What is obvious in this case is that at the same time as you are brushing your teeth, you will also be cleaning your braces. It is important that this is done in the correct order - brush the teeth with the braces first, and then the others. Start by removing debris from the tubes and rings, and then from the brackets and arches.

Importantly, it is better to avoid traditional toothbrushes as they can damage the braces. Replace them with electric or sonic ones or dedicated ones for people with braces. Don't forget to clean your interdental spaces too.

If you want to take proper care of your teeth with braces, you should brush them at least twice a day. However, we recommend that you do this after every meal, then you minimise the risk of tartar build-up and decay.

The painting depicts dental instruments against a bright background. Colourful plastic dentures, metal pliers and a series of white spherical objects resembling teeth are visible. The scene refers to the work of a dentist and dental prostheses.

And how do you look after your teeth with removable braces?

The most important rule - braces should always be fitted after brushing your teeth first. Remember to brush them with a toothbrush of the appropriate bristle hardness and use a toothpaste selected for you.

And don't forget the spaces between the teeth. A normal toothbrush may not remove debris from those areas. These, in turn, can quickly lead to a build-up of plaque and this to periodontitis, which, if untreated, can even end in the loss of part of the teeth.

You can read more about this in our article - Modern periodontitis treatment in the UK with Vector Paro Pro

The photograph shows a young, smiling woman sitting in a dental chair. She is wearing a pink blouse and elements of the dental office equipment can be seen in the background. The woman has a friendly face and is grinning her teeth, suggesting that she is a dentist or dental assistant.

The best way to take care of teeth with braces under the guidance of a doctor

If you want to take proper care of your teeth with braces, you must not forget to visit your orthodontist regularly. The doctor will not only take care of your braces, but will also be able to spot any changes in the mouth at an early stage.

And if you're just considering braces, or are considering getting veneers (read more about them here here) best make an appointment. Together we will find the best solution for you that fits within your budget.

At our practice, you can spread the cost of both treatment and braces or veneers in instalments. Importantly, the first 12 months are zero interest. Our instalment system is 100% secure and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 619628). If you would like to find out more we recommend our article "Teeth on credit: dental treatment on hire purchase", and if you have any further questions Call us.