Whether it’s braces, dentures, or implants, proper dental care is essential. Indeed, dental plaque is the number one enemy of prostheses or dental correction devices. Therefore, regular and effective cleaning is of utmost importance. How to proceed? What to do to preserve good oral hygiene? Brushing, flossing, and mouth wash should become part of your daily routine. This is what we will see from now on.
Orthodontics: How to Clean Your Braces Properly?
The orthodontic appliance, more commonly called “braces“, is a device of dental correction allowing the good alignment of the teeth and the jaws. These famous braces, held together by a metal wire, apply a force to the teeth in order to impart teeth movement. They must be adjusted regularly by the orthodontist to obtain the right correction. Braces are becoming very popular, and nearly every 10-year-old child gets braces.
This orthodontic treatment usually lasts for two years or even more for some. It is crucial to regularly maintain the correction device by cleaning it daily to enjoy good oral hygiene. To do this, before brushing, rinse your mouth to remove any food residue. Then, using a conventional toothbrush, make circular movements on the teeth to clean the braces well.
Brush the inside of the teeth and the chewing surfaces. Brushing should be refined in hard-to-reach areas (under the wire and between orthodontic braces) with a small round-headed toothbrush or an interdental brush. This is very important because food gets stuck under the wires often and may cause damage to your teeth if not removed.
Denture Care: How to Clean Effectively?
Dentures are the most commonly used dental appliance to replace one or more missing teeth. They are most of the time removable so cleaning is made easy. Just like orthodontic braces, dentures must also be carefully maintained. It seems essential to remove it and clean it every day with suitable accessories and products. We recommend the use of a soft toothbrush and a suitable toothpaste recommended by your dentist.
Once a week, remember to soak your braces in a vinegar or hydrogen peroxide solution. You should also know that you can find products adapted to this use sold in pharmacies. Indeed, dentures cannot be maintained with just any product, and they are fragile and require gentle, non-abrasive care.
However, if your dentures are made of metal parts, these recommendations cannot be applied. In this case, I strongly recommend a consultation with your dentist so that they can guide you through the correct way of maintaining your dentures.
Dental Implants: How to Maintain Them Effectively?
Dental implants have a much longer lifespan than braces or dentures. It is true, and this prosthesis can be kept for more than ten years. Nevertheless, it does not mean that you can neglect it; good maintenance is essential. For maintenance, the use of a soft toothbrush and an interdental brush is highly recommended. Flossing can also be considered to complete the cleaning. Once a week, mouthwash should be performed.
Unlike dentures, dental implants cannot be removed. It is a fixed device, and therefore, it will be maintained simultaneously as the natural teeth. Also, brushing twice a day is necessary to avoid infections and possible prosthesis instability.
To enjoy a clean and durable dental implant, it is also recommended that you consult your dentist or dental technician regularly, at least once a year. During this consultation, the practitioner will perform an effective cleaning of your prosthesis and advise how to maintain it at home. Let us know in the comments if you have proper dental care…
