The video is in Turkish; this page gives a written summary in English.
Oral care is one of the most important parts of orthodontic treatment. Food debris and bacterial plaque build up easily around brackets and wires. If oral hygiene is poor, the gums can become inflamed, and white spots and decay can form around the brackets. In this video, Uzm. Dt. Ahmet Yaşar explains how to brush your teeth with braces, lingual orthodontics and clear aligners.
Brushing with braces
- Brush after every meal, at least twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste.
- Holding the brush at an angle, clean first above the brackets and then below them, separately.
- Do not skip the inner surfaces and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
- After brushing, check in the mirror that no debris is left around the brackets.
Using an interdental brush
An interdental brush is a small, thin brush used to clean between the brackets and under the wire. Pass the brush under the wire and move it back and forth a few times between the brackets.
A water flosser does not replace brushing, but it can help.
Brushing with lingual orthodontics
In lingual orthodontics, the brackets are bonded to the tongue side of the teeth. That is why you need to brush more carefully, checking the inner surfaces of the teeth and the areas around the brackets in the mirror. An interdental brush is useful here too.
Brushing with clear aligners
Since the aligners are removable, the teeth are brushed as usual. After eating, brush your teeth first and then put the aligners back in; food debris trapped under the aligner can cause decay and bad breath. Clean the aligners as well, with a soft brush and cold or lukewarm water.
More about the treatments: Braces · Clear aligners
