Recommendations for patients on the care of teeth and braces

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Nutrition while wearing braces
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We often encounter questions from customers who have installed braces and are faced with discomfort, pain and care problems - “how to avoid chafing and damage to the mucous membrane?”, “how to stop bleeding?”, “how to clean braces if regular brushes don’t work?”.

The first thing you should do after installing braces is to get your orthodontist's personal number. During treatment, especially during the period of adaptation, he is your main assistant. New sensations will cause anxiety, and you will call him with any question. The first time after installation, braces will rub the mucous membranes of the inner surfaces of the lips and cheeks, causing pain and inflammation.

Is it necessary to carry out hygienic cleaning before installing braces?

If there is evidence for this, then it is necessary, since braces must be installed on clean enamel. It is important that there is no accumulation of plaque underneath them, otherwise caries may develop under the braces. In addition, if there is a lot of plaque, it will be difficult to remove it with braces - it is better to do this before the system is fixed.

However, if you have recently had dental hygiene, it is better to postpone the procedure a little and go through it 2-3 months after installing the braces system - it will be much more effective.

Avoid improvised means

If you don’t have a brush or toothpick at hand, you shouldn’t try to remove a stuck piece of meat with a straightened paper clip or needle. This is dangerous both for the braces system and for your own health. You can use special dental floss. When wearing a non-removable structure, its tip can be placed under the arch. Such cleaning requires care, otherwise you can tear the arc out of the grooves.

This is how you floss your teeth if you have braces.

What products are needed to care for teeth with braces?

Caring for teeth with braces

Name	Description
Various toothbrushes	Braces are placed in stages: first on the upper jaw, after a few weeks or even months - on the lower jaw. Therefore, you can brush your teeth without braces as usual. But for those teeth that have braces attached, it is better to purchase a brush with a V-shaped groove specifically designed for braces. Additionally, thin mono-tuft brushes will be useful, which will allow you to reach narrow and hard-to-reach places and better clean the braces themselves. Try different options - this way you can choose the best and most convenient one for yourself, and your attending physician will evaluate how well you perform hygiene with the chosen products.
Toothpaste	After installing braces, teeth often break, the enamel becomes thinner, and the teeth react sharply to external influences. Therefore, a toothpaste for sensitive teeth must be in your arsenal. After the condition of the enamel is normalized, it can be changed to whitening or anti-plaque. Do not forget to change the paste every 3-4 months or even more often, selecting it in accordance with the problems that you have.
Interdental brushes and/or dental floss	Use after every meal, carefully cleaning the interdental spaces. Also use brushes under the arch and along the top of the plates - these are places where pieces of food often remain. Choose the product of the desired thickness - start with the thinnest ones and choose the option that is right for you, taking into account the size of the spaces between the teeth. It is better if the kit includes brushes of different sizes - for different intervals.
Irrigator	It is not only possible to use it, but also absolutely necessary to clean the interdental spaces.
Mouthwash	Choose any one that suits you - you can leave the one you used before installing braces.
Protective wax	Buy it on the first day, since braces (their protruding edges and arch) can rub the inside of the cheeks, especially in the first days.
Travel set	At first glance, this may seem like a waste of money, but this is a great option for those who travel often or lead an active lifestyle - throw this set in your purse and carry out hygiene after any snack. You can form it yourself by packing all the necessary products in a small cosmetic bag.

Nutritional Features

Patients have to adhere to a certain diet. This does not mean that you will have to eat less or only low-calorie foods. Restrictions will apply to hard and viscous products and drinks that contain a lot of dyes.

You should also be careful with very hot or extremely cold foods. Do not drink ice cream with coffee - temperature changes will lead to loss of elasticity of the structure.

Try to make your diet balanced. This is a good prevention of bacterial infection in the oral cavity. In addition, eat foods rich in protein and microelements (especially calcium, fluoride) to preserve enamel - eggs, fish and seafood, dairy products, fruits and vegetables.

There are several recommendations regarding food intake:

Use a knife. Any dish that allows this should be cut into pieces, only then placed in the mouth. Avoid chewing large pieces for a long time. Distribute the load evenly.
Don't bite apples, cucumbers, or any other fruits or vegetables with your front teeth. When eating them, also use cutlery.
Try to eat at home or in an environment where you can rinse your mouth and use dental floss. Do not neglect this rule after every meal.

Eliminate hard foods

This is meat, apples and other fruits, vegetables with strong skins, and nuts fried over a fire. Despite the fact that the design of braces is quite strong, excessively hard food can cause harm to it.

The most reliable systems, in terms of susceptibility to mechanical damage, are metal, classic ones. Plastic, ceramic or sapphire are considered more fragile. Therefore, you should handle them carefully.

Avoid sticky foods

You will need to remove from your diet not only hard foods, but also those that have a viscous consistency, for example, caramel, candies such as toffee. They get very stuck in the spaces between the teeth and arches and are then difficult to clean out.

Don't use dyes

The last restriction on the menu concerns products with bright coloring properties. They should be abandoned, especially if the patient wears a plastic structure. This includes tea and coffee, beets, various sodas, and red wine. We also include cigarettes in this category. While wearing braces, you should give up this bad habit.

Can I use an electric toothbrush?

Ultrasonic is not possible, conventional electric is possible. The first can lead to the plates coming off, the second should not have a moving head and strong vibration - this will not harm the braces, but it will be inconvenient for you to use such a brush, since the bristles will get stuck. You can use several toothbrushes at once - a regular one to clean the inner surface of the teeth, and an orthodontic one to clean the outer surface where the braces are located.

“The braces are fixed quite securely - you need to try hard to peel them off the surface of the teeth. Therefore, hygiene must be carried out without fear and in no case reducing its intensity, making allowances for braces. If the care is poor, after removing the system we will find caries and white spots on the enamel.”

Vagapov Zakir Irkinovich, dentist-orthodontist, work experience over 16 years make an appointment

Have it professionally cleaned

Ultrasonic cleaning is not recommended if braces are installed - ultrasound can weaken the adhesive bond between the braces and the teeth. But Air Flow for fixed systems is completely safe. Such cleaning once every 4-5 months will help the entire treatment period pass without plaque, which provokes caries. Those who wear aligners can have both Air Flow and ultrasonic cleaning.

Plaque appears in all people, even in those who brush their teeth very carefully. Therefore, such cleaning is recommended to everyone approximately once every 6 months, and if indicated, a little more often.

When wearing braces and aligners, you should periodically undergo professional cleaning at the clinic.

What diet should you follow?

There are three main rules that must be followed after installing braces:

avoidance of excessively hard and “sticky” foods – nuts, seeds, toffees, chewing gums,
hard fruits and vegetables, meat must be cut into small pieces, chewing with side teeth,
food and drinks should be warm, but not hot - this can lead to the records coming off.

Your diet should remain unchanged, with the exception of the three points listed. Do not overuse liquid and soft foods - your teeth must receive stress for normal functioning. You can minimize the consumption of viscous foods (chocolate, waffles, chips) - but not because they are prohibited, but because they accumulate on braces and under the archwire. They will simply be very difficult to remove.

What not to do

In order for the bite correction to proceed at the planned pace, the doctor usually introduces certain prohibitions during the treatment period. They mainly relate to nutrition, as described above. In addition, you should not do the following while wearing braces:

Consume extremely cold or extremely hot foods and drinks. Individual parts of the orthodontic system are sensitive to temperature changes; as a result, they can become unusable and thereby disrupt the working condition of the entire structure.
Gnaw and bite. Mechanical stress can damage the arc tension. Before eating, food should be chopped with a knife and chewed in small pieces.
Fight and also engage in strength sports.
Smoking.
Drinking alcohol.
Chew gum.
Consume products with natural or artificial colors.

How to eat immediately after getting braces

In the first 1-2 weeks after installing braces (as well as after their activation), especially with a significant defect and the choice of ligature structures (they put more pressure on the teeth than self-ligating ones), you will experience pain. The degree of intensity is completely different and depends on many factors, including your sensitivity. Therefore, if at first you find it painful and unpleasant to eat your usual food, change it to a more liquid one - give preference to soups, dairy products, yoghurts, or puree the main dishes. This will reduce the load on the teeth and reduce painful manifestations.

Where to go?

Usually, parents notice a crooked dentition in their child when baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth. If such a problem exists, there is a direct path to the orthodontist. It is this specialist who determines whether braces are needed on the teeth. In addition, any imperfections can be corrected not only in adolescence. Narodnaya dental specialists have experience in successfully correcting the dental system of patients of various age categories.

If the decision to install the structure is positive, the orthodontist plans the procedure in detail and calculates the result of the treatment. An initial visit to the clinic involves the following studies:

examination of the oral cavity to identify teeth requiring sanitation;
current level of hygiene;
condition of wisdom teeth
familiarization with the types of bracket systems;
referral for diagnostics.

Rules for daily hygiene care

If you have braces, you should make it a rule to take care of your teeth every day - morning, evening and after every snack. This will help maintain healthy teeth and a snow-white shade of enamel after removing braces.

Brush your teeth with a brush and toothpaste in the morning and evening. If you have a special brush, it is necessary to carry out horizontal movements along the arch of the braces (there is a recess inside the bristles for the arch). Use a regular brush without strong pressure, using both horizontal and vertical movements. Move the head actively, clean each record separately,
After the main cleaning, use a single-tuft brush or brushes to clean every gap between the brackets/archwires, the surface of the teeth, as well as the plates themselves, top and bottom. Pay special attention to the brackets that are located on the farthest teeth - it is on them that the largest amount of plaque accumulates, since it is with these elements that we chew food,
Rinse your mouth with water and mouthwash for 1-2 minutes.

Cleaning can also be supplemented with an irrigator (can also be directed at the plates - the pressure should be reduced only in the presence of ceramic and sapphire systems) and dental floss.

Orthodontic wax and irrigator: additional elements of the standard set

The use of orthodontic wax can significantly reduce the discomfort caused by metal braces.
Very often, protruding elements of the braces system scratch the delicate tissues of the oral cavity. Wax protects gums, inner lips and cheeks from sores and scratches. The wax is sold in small plastic boxes and has a structure similar to soft chewing gum. Using the product is quite simple: you need to tear off a little wax from the container, warm it in your palms, and then apply directly to the lock or bracket that is causing irritation. Don't worry that some of the wax will be accidentally swallowed, because dental products are non-toxic. Another optional, but very useful device designed to make caring for braces easier is an irrigator. This dental device is used to clean the spaces between braces and teeth. The irrigator acts as a small pump that directs a stream of water to the desired location.

Why do my teeth hurt after installing and activating braces?

In the first days after installation, and subsequently after activation of braces, aching sensations of varying degrees of intensity are possible - the stronger the defect, the greater the pain. When fixing ligature systems, the pressure is greater, so the teeth will hurt more. Soreness in general is a completely normal reaction, since braces from the first minutes after fixation already have an impact on the teeth and change their position.

If the pain is severe, then in the first days after installation or activation of the system, you can take painkillers. But no more than 2-3 days. If discomfort persists, contact your orthodontist for system correction.

Cleaning before braces: why is it needed?

Correction of the bite always begins with sanitation of the oral cavity. In addition to treating diseases of the teeth and gums, it includes mandatory professional cleaning before installing braces. The doctor will remove hard deposits with ultrasound, and soft deposits with a thin and powerful jet of cleaning powder solution (AirFlow technology). After this, the teeth will need to be polished with a special paste and coated with a fluoride-containing preparation to strengthen the enamel. Such a hygienic procedure should be carried out 3 - 5 days before installation, but no later than 24 hours.

What happens if you don’t brush your teeth before braces? Bacterial plaque will get under the elements of the system, in particular under the clasps that are glued to the enamel. Considering that orthodontic appliances are worn for a year at best, and two years on average, microorganisms will have enough time to multiply and lead to the formation of caries. It is impossible to properly cure it with braces on the teeth. There is a risk of early removal of the device, and this will spoil the final result, and the patient will waste money, time and moral strength. This is why brushing your teeth before getting braces is mandatory.

What to do if your braces chafe?

For inflammation of the mucous membranes, you can use special gels and ointments that have an antiseptic and soothing effect - for example, Metrogyl Denta, Vinilin.

To prevent inflammation, it is also recommended to use orthodontic wax. The purpose of its use is to isolate and protect soft mucous membranes from solid elements of the system. Apply to sharp protruding parts and replace as they fall off. It is recommended to remove the wax while eating.

Silicone strips for braces, like wax, are used to protect soft mucous membranes. Silicone is presented in the form of strips that can be used to cover one bracket or the entire row. Unlike wax, it does not crumble and is used repeatedly.

Adaptation to braces

The corrective design can be compared to a pair of shoes. No matter how comfortable they are, they need to be broken in. Accustomation lasts up to a week, however, some lingual varieties require a whole month. The patient will not feel significant pain. In the first few days you may feel:

Pressure on the soft tissues of the oral cavity.
Feeling of chafing on cheeks.
Difficulty with articulation.
Inconvenience when chewing food.

But such manifestations should not scare you, they are temporary and go away on their own. When wearing it, you should not change your habits and daily routine in any way; you need to live a normal life, communicate with loved ones and friends. Moreover, this is inevitable - until the straightening process occurs, it will not be possible to remove the staples. And the only thing patients can do is endure a little inconvenience.

If you feel that the mucous membranes of the oral cavity are severely damaged by friction, or your speech has been significantly affected, you can use a special protective wax. It is sold in pharmacy chains.

The aching nature of the pain intensifies when chewing food. If the patient has a low pain threshold and high sensitivity, mild analgesics may be needed. In case of severe irritation or inflammation of the mucous membranes, you can rinse your mouth with a solution of chamomile or calendula. After a week of getting used to it, you will not have any unpleasant sensations, but only a nice metallic “decoration” of your smile.

Unlike vestibular braces, the installation of lingual braces will require a longer adaptation period. You may need to endure the inconvenience for up to one month. They will mainly concentrate in the area of articulation. Oral speech will be slightly complicated and modified. But patience pays off in that such structures are practically invisible from the outside. And if you order them to be made according to individual measurements, then the discomfort in the first weeks is virtually completely absent.

If the patient has severe pain, stomatitis, wounds in the mouth, or a filling has fallen out, then you should definitely consult a doctor and not self-medicate.

What to do if the bracket comes off?

This happens quite rarely. And, as a rule, with budget models that are initially poorly fixed, or after some time after using the system. In such a situation, you need to make an appointment with the orthodontist as quickly as possible, or even come without an appointment during his working hours: gluing the plate will only take a few minutes. Metal braces can be re-glued at least 2-3 times. Ceramic or sapphire - also 1-2 times, but you need to look at their general condition.

It is unlikely that the bracket will be swallowed, since even if it comes off the surface, it will still be fixed to the arch with the help of ligatures or locking fastenings. If the plate does fall off, do not throw it away, but be sure to take it with you to your doctor’s appointment.

Tooth extraction

You need to be prepared for the fact that before installing braces you will have to have your wisdom teeth removed. As practice shows, in approximately 90% of cases these teeth have to be removed. For some reason, they are in an incorrect position and, when they erupt, cause pain and discomfort, and also deform nearby teeth.

However, it is possible that it may be necessary to remove more than just wisdom teeth. When premolars grow on top of each other, correcting them with braces may be impossible. The only way to obtain an even dentition is to remove interfering specimens before installing the structure.

How often should I visit a doctor after getting braces?

If you have ligature systems, you need to visit your doctor monthly. Self-ligating ones also require regular correction, but the frequency is slightly less - every 1.5-2 months. In addition, every 2-3 months you will need professional oral hygiene. And it is better to have it done in the same clinic where you got your braces - your attending physician will carefully remove the arch, you will undergo the procedure, after which he will return the arch to its place. This way the system will not be damaged, and you will get teeth that will be thoroughly cleaned of plaque.