How to Take Care of Braces? A Comprehensive Guide for the “Wired”

Many people decide to get braces in the name of a healthy and aesthetic smile. A challenge on this path can be proper oral hygiene, which is necessary to achieve maximum benefits and avoid dental problems. In the following article, we will discuss how to take care of your braces and which products to choose to maintain oral hygiene at the highest level.

Structure of orthodontic braces:
Braces consist of many elements. Each of them serves a specific function in the entire mechanism and is essential for the braces to fulfill their role. At the same time, it can be a place where food debris and bacteria accumulate.

Brackets: This is the part of the braces that adheres to the surface of the teeth and holds the arch wires in place. Their structure makes it easy for food debris to accumulate on them. To keep brackets clean, thorough brushing around them is necessary.

Orthodontic arch wires: These are the metal wires that connect the brackets and exert a straightening force on the teeth. The space between them is difficult to reach during daily tooth brushing. Regular cleaning with a water flosser or sonic toothbrush helps to remove deposits from these areas.

Ligatures: These are rubber or metal elements that hold the arch wires in the brackets. They can easily become dirty, so it’s important to regularly check and replace them during orthodontic visits.

Elastic bands: Some braces have additional elastic bands that further support teeth straightening. They should be replaced regularly, according to the orthodontist’s instructions, to ensure proper hygiene and treatment effectiveness.

All of the above elements are very prone to food residue buildup. It is harder to remove debris from them, which can lead to bacterial growth and, as a result — cavities and gum disease. That’s why regular and thorough care of braces and the oral cavity is crucial.

 

Ideal dental care routine with braces
As with all matters related to specialized care, the foundation of oral and braces hygiene is proper technique and the selection of suitable tools.

First and foremost, it’s important to remember to brush your teeth after every meal. This helps remove food debris that may settle on the braces. A sonic toothbrush will be particularly effective, as it performs vibrating-sweeping movements. SEYSSO toothbrushes are additionally enhanced with DCT+ (Dynamic Cleaning Technology). This technology produces microbubbles that reach difficult areas even more effectively. The SEYSSO Oxygen Ortho brush heads, dedicated to people wearing braces, are both precise and gentle. This combination is especially helpful for cleaning brackets and wires thoroughly.

Unfortunately, despite many advantages, brushing alone is not enough — even when using the benefits of sonic technology. Particular attention must be paid to cleaning interdental spaces and the areas between the braces and teeth. Traditional flossing can be difficult, which is why using a water flosser is recommended. Thanks to a focused stream of water, it effectively removes food particles and bacterial plaque from hard-to-reach places while minimizing the risk of damaging the components of the braces. For convenient and comfortable daily hygiene, SEYSSO offers cordless water flossers.