Once you have had your braces fitted, you will need to make sure you keep on top of cleaning them regularly as it is very common for people going through brace treatments to end the plan with some kind of gum disease. In its early stages, gum disease can be harmless, but in the later stages, it can cause more serious issues; therefore, you must work hard to keep it at bay.
How to care for your teeth when you wear braces
Once you have had your braces Liverpool fitted, you should make sure that you take excellent care of your oral health by brushing your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes, spending thirty seconds on each section. When you are wearing fixed wire braces you should not use an electric toothbrush as this could cause harm to the braces themselves. If you are wearing removable aligners such as Invisalign, you can use either a manual or electric toothbrush, whichever suits you best. If you are wearing Invisalign or another type of clear removable brace, one of the major benefits is that you can still clean between your teeth with floss and interdental brushes. It is very important you continue to do this since between teeth is where the most bacteria and plaque build-up, causing gum disease and decay.
How to care for fixed wired braces
If you have had wired braces fitted, then you will need to use a special brush designed to clean between the braces. Such a brush would be angled, soft-bristled and specially designed to get between the teeth and the wires, helping to remove excess food and debris.
How to care for your aligners
If you use Invisalign or another type of aligner, then you need to make sure you clean them as regularly and as thoroughly as you would your teeth. You can clean your aligners using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a bar of clear, non-toxic soap. If you choose to use toothpaste instead of soap, make sure the toothpaste isn’t coloured as it will likely begin to cause staining to the appliance. You must clean the aligner by starting at the top of the tray and moving your way around, being careful not to brush too hard as this could cause damage to the trays. You can also use cleaning crystals by Invisalign or other types of dissolving crystals to help clean your aligners. These crystals are great at getting rid of tough layers of bacteria and plaque and can give your aligners their clear appearance, which is what you want to keep them looking nice and invisible.
It's recommended that you always carry a hard case with you when you have your aligners as you will need to take them out and rinse them when you eat. You should also carry a travel toothbrush and toothpaste since it is always best to brush your teeth after your meals before you wear your aligners again. These carry cases are easily available online.