Deep dental cleaning at the hands of a professional should not be limited by the use of brackets or other types of appliances; on the contrary, orthodontic prophylaxis is a necessity.
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Importance of prophylaxis in orthodontics
Undoubtedly, braces considerably favor the accumulation of food residues between the wires and the teeth; which ends up causing oral diseases such as caries, plaque or periodontitis.
That is why when you start a orthodontic treatment, the patient must be aware of the rigor with which he must carry out his dental cleaning routine if he wishes to bring his treatment to a successful conclusion.
In fact, poor oral hygiene can directly affect the expected results at the end of treatment; either because it stops it or delays its course.
What are the types of dental prophylaxis that exist?
There are basically 2 types of dental prophylaxis:
the simple cleaning
That should be done at least every 6 months and is aimed at healthy patients of any age; helping to eliminate dental plaque and remove tartar or stains attached to the tooth.
The cleaning compound
Which is recommended every 4 months for patients with braces, implants and dental prostheses, or those who have not had a simple cleaning in many years. In these cases, in addition to the regular procedure, another called supragingival scaling is performed that uses an ultrasound-based device.
What steps should you follow to properly sanitize your mouth?
Unquestionably, the habit begins at home! And to complement a good prophylaxis in orthodontics, we recommend you follow the following steps:
Prepare a solution of water at room temperature with a couple of teaspoons of baking soda; rinse your mouth to remove accumulated bacteria.
Practice proper brushing technique. You can ask your specialist for guidance on how to do it with the braces; but in general it is advisable to use a soft brush, make circular movements and select a good toothpaste.
The use of interdental brushes should also be indicated (specifically to clear difficult-to-reach areas, where the conventional brush probably cannot reach).
Flossing should be another staple in your cleaning routine, and its use extends beyond the interdental space to the wires of metal braces.
Lastly, selecting a good mouthwash will help protect your teeth and remove bacteria that cause bad breath for a clean, fresh mouth.
Although dental prophylaxis will become part of the scheduled routine established by the specialist; can you contact your dentist whenever you want and request an evaluation if you consider it appropriate.
It is also a good opportunity to clarify your doubts regarding the correct cleaning technique at home and any concerns regarding this or other topics of interest.
