Braces can change everything in your life: the things you can eat and, above all, your smile. Another of the things that change when you have the appliance is the way you brush your teeth, especially if you use an electric toothbrush. Start from step 1 to learn how to use the electric toothbrush if you have the appliance.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare the toothbrush
Step 1. Choose your toothbrush
Follow your tastes to choose the right toothbrush for you. A normal electric toothbrush moves the bristles more than 30,000 times in one minute. The different length of the bristles allows to reach both the easiest to access points and the most difficult to reach ones (such as the space between two teeth or the space between the teeth and gums), obtaining the same efficient result. Here are some of the most common electric toothbrushes:
- Rotating: The head rotates in one direction only.
- Counter-rotating: the head rotates in different directions.
- Rotating-oscillating: heads with variable length rotate in different directions.
- Oscillating-pulsating: in addition to the oscillating movement, there is a pulsating movement to increase the cleaning power.
Step 2. Prepare the toothbrush
When you buy a toothbrush, take it home and charge it right away. Each toothbrush works differently, so follow the instructions on yours. When it is full, put some toothpaste on the toothbrush. If possible, use a fluoride toothpaste.
Pass the toothbrush under water to make cleaning more pleasant
Step 3. Before brushing your teeth, rinse your mouth with water
This will help remove any large residues that are left between the appliance connections. Do two or three rinses so that all the bigger pieces are eliminated.
If there are very large residues between your teeth or brackets, you can use a toothpick to remove them
Step 4. Hold the toothbrush correctly
Before you start brushing your teeth, you need to know how to hold your toothbrush. Hold it in the hand you usually use. Hold it turned up against the gumline above the brackets on the upper arch of the teeth. You need to form a 45 ° angle with the gumline.
Method 2 of 3: Brush your teeth
Step 1. You must brush each section of your mouth for at least 30 seconds
The mouth is divided into four sections: the upper right (first quadrant), the upper left (second quadrant), the lower right (third quadrant), the lower left (fourth quadrant). You must devote at least 30 seconds to each quadrant. The division starts from the first incisor to the last molar.
Step 2. Don't put too much pressure on the bindings
If you press too hard on the teeth or on the brackets, you could damage one or the other or both. Keep the brush head resting on the surface of the tooth so that the bristles can work without additional pressure.
In some toothbrushes when you apply too much pressure, a sensor stops rotation
Step 3. Clean the outer surface of the teeth
Hold the toothbrush at a 45 ° angle and brush the outer surface of the teeth and attachments. Clean a maximum of two teeth at a time, otherwise you may miss some part of the outer surface of the teeth. Brush around each attachment, and then place the toothbrush directly on the appliance to make sure nothing gets stuck.
Step 4. Clean the inner surface of the teeth
The inner surface of the teeth is the back part, the one that faces the inside of the mouth and throat. Make circular motions to clean the inner surface of the teeth. If you have trouble brushing, tilt the brush for better cleaning.
Pay particular attention to the underside of the inner surface as this is where most of the tartar forms
Step 5. Make sure you brush the chewing surface of your teeth well
The chewing surface of your teeth is the part you use to chew your food. Make a circular motion to clean this surface. In particular, you have to clean your teeth well at the bottom, the molars.
Method 3 of 3: Final stage
Step 1. Brush the gums
Put the bristles on the gumline. Spend 2 to 4 seconds on the gums above each tooth. You will need 30 seconds for each quadrant. Be careful not to put too much pressure on the gums or they may start bleeding.
Step 2. Brush your tongue
Like the gums, the tongue also needs to be brushed to make sure you have a clean and fresh mouth. Place the toothbrush on your tongue and make a back and forth motion to brush the surface. This operation will allow you to eliminate bacteria and have fresh breath.
Don't brush too much as you may make your tongue bleed
Step 3. Rinse your mouth with water
After brushing your teeth, gums and tongue, it is important to rinse your mouth. Take some water, rinse your mouth and then spit it out.
If you prefer, you can rinse your mouth with mouthwash. Children aged 6 to 16 should rinse their mouths with water to avoid ingesting the fluoride contained in the toothpaste
Step 4. Load the toothbrush
Rinse the toothbrush under running water. After you've rinsed it, charge it so it's ready for the next time.
Advice
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
- Leave your toothbrush on charge even when you're not using it. You never know when you will need it.
