Brushing
What is plaque?
In every mouth there are bacteria (germs). These bacteria are normally harmless and cause no damage to the mouth or teeth. However, within minutes of the teeth being cleaned, an invisible sticky film forms on all the tooth surfaces and certain bacteria from the mouth attach onto this film and begin to grow. Plaque is the name given to this growth of bacteria on the teeth. The bacteria in plaque are able to damage the teeth and gums by causing tooth decay and gum disease. When plaque is on the teeth, it can produce acids from any sugar, which is taken into the mouth. This acid destroys the tooth surface and causes tooth decay. The plaque also releases poisons, which irritate and infect the delicate gum tissues. This results in gum disease. New layers of plaque will grow on the teeth each day. That’s why plaque should be brushed from your teeth thoroughly and regularly before it causes any damage. Plaque must be removed every day. Braces make it harder to remove plaque. Brackets, bands and archwires create nooks and crannies that are hard to reach; therefore the brushing technique is different.
How should you brush?
The brush should be placed against the teeth at an angle. The bristles should be pushed under the wire and between the teeth to make the bristles flex. Research tells us that the pressure on the toothbrush is one of the most important factors in removing the plaque. The brush should then be vibrated and moved in small circles in each area of the mouth. This should be done from above and below the archwire. Scrub all over the braces, teeth and gums in a circular motion and do not forget the tongue side and the chewing surfaces. When the brushing is finished, the braces and teeth should be free of food particles and plaque. The braces should be shiny, the gum margin should be distinct and gum tissue should be firm and a light pink color. With braces on, the gum tissue line is often neglected, resulting in swollen and inflamed gums. Focus your attention on the gum tissue margin.
How long should brushing take?
Brushing should take as long as is necessary to remove all traces of plaque. This normally takes about 5 minutes. However, with bands, wires and other attachments on your teeth to obstruct the toothbrush, it may take you longer to clean your teeth and gums correctly. Brushing should be done within 5 minutes after eating. Always brush before bedtime. A few minutes several times each day is a small price to pay for fresh breath and clean, healthy teeth and gums.
How can I tell if my teeth are clean?
The places to look are under the wires, between the teeth and on the gum edges of the teeth. A mouth mirror should be used to check all angles of the teeth. When you have finished brushing, the bands and wires should be free of all food particles and soft white coatings. The braces should look clean and shiny. The area of tooth between the bracket and gum should be clean and the gum margin distinct and clean.
What type of brush should I use?
A small multi-tufted soft bristle brush. The SMALL toothbrush head allows access to difficult areas while the SOFT bristles allow efficient cleaning without causing damage to the gum or teeth.
What about toothpaste?
Toothpaste is not essential. However, toothpaste, which contains fluoride, will help prevent tooth decay by strengthening the outer layers of enamel against acid attack. Avoid using too much toothpaste. Too much froth will prevent you from seeing that you are brushing correctly. We highly recommend that our patients at night brush with Listerine and follow-up with the Phos-Flur fluoride rinse.
