Braces Toothbrushes

When you’re wearing braces toothbrushes can be your best friend. That is because food is easily trapped around all the brackets and wires. This debris must be removed in order to prevent dental cavities and periodontal disease. Who wants to go through all the trouble and expense of wearing braces and then be faced with getting fillings, crowns, root canals, or periodontal surgery?

The first challenge you face when wearing braces is that your teeth become uncomfortable when the brackets and wires are placed on your teeth. Since your teeth are uncomfortable with braces toothbrushes make them more uncomfortable. But you can’t stop brushing and flossing.

Dentists will testify that many patients neglect their oral hygiene once braces are placed and that this leads to many dental problems. I’m a dentist myself and I have experienced both ends of this. I just got my own adult braces off and can well remember when they were placed.

The first couple of days my teeth were extremely sore after placement of the braces. Toothbrushes, flossing, and eating all were very uncomfortable. I had used a Philips Sonicare for years. In fact, most dentists use one because they know that nothing is better for maintaining the health of your teeth and gums.

I found the Phillips Sonicare Toothbrush to be especially helpful for my one year of adult braces. The sonic action of this great power toothbrush helped remove plaque from all round the wire and brackets. The massaging action of the bristles also made my gums feel really good. Once you get used to it, you really look forward to cleaning your teeth and massaging your gums.

Braces Toothbrushes, and Helpful Tips

• Expect you teeth to be sore. The worst time will be one the wire is first placed. But each time you get an adjustment your teeth will be sore again. Expect this. Be ready for it. Ask your dentist or orthodontist about taking some over the counter pain medications if necessary. I didn’t take anything but I know many people prefer to take a mild analgesic.
• Brush anyway! It will be uncomfortable to brush your teeth while wearing braces. Toothbrushes of any kind will take getting used to. But think about what happens if you don’t brush. You’ll end up with cavities. I’ve done many root canals (that’s my specialty) on people who developed abscessed teeth because of neglecting oral hygiene.
• Change toothbrushes frequently. If you’re using a manual toothbrush you will need to change it out frequently. You will notice that the brackets and wires will shred the bristles fairly quickly. With my Phillips Sonicare Toothbrush I didn’t need to change it out as often as I thought I would. You might want to go ahead and purchase some extra toothbrush heads when you get your braces placed. You can read about them here.
• Floss everyday! I saved this one for last because I know that nobody likes flossing. As a dentist I see the consequences of not flossing everyday. If people only realized how much time and money they could save in dental expenses by just flossing everyday. But when you wear braces, toothbrushes and dental floss are absolutely essential. You will need some special help with flossing because of your braces. Your dentist will give you instructions. Make sure you know how to do it properly.

Braces Toothbrushes, and The Confession of A Dentist

But flossing was ridiculous. I now understood why people came in with so many problems after their braces were removed. Even for a dentist, flossing with braces was a challenge.

I was complaining about this one day when a dentist friend of mine who practiced orthodontics said, “Get a Water Pik.” For years I had heard of them but I had always considered them a gimmick. But I was desperate so I purchased one.

I can only say, incredible! The Water Pik Waterflosser saved my gums for the year I wore braces. But I still use it with no braces on. In fact, I am writing this while on vacation at the beach (Kiawah Island - our favorite place on the planet!) and I brought my Water Pik and my Philips Sonicare.

Water Pik Tips:

• Be patient. It takes some getting used to. It’s going to feel weird and you’ll probably spray water all over your bathroom sink the first couple of times you use it. Don’t worry it will dry! Once you get past the learning curve you’ll be glad you did not give up.
• Start with low pressure. When you first start out keep the dial turned to the left (low pressure). Slowly work your way up to higher pressure.
• Keep it moving. Don’t hold the Water Pik in one place too long. It works fast.
• Use the various tips. I bought the model with the various attachments. I particularly recommend the toothbrush and orthodontic brush in addition to the traditional tip.

• Read the instructions. I hardly ever read instructions but the ones for the Water Pik are brief and very helpful.

I’m glad I had adult braces but I have to tell you that until I got the Water Pik I was having some major regrets. I can’t recommend strongly enough the Phillips Sonicare Toothbrush and the Water Pik Waterflosser if you have braces. Braces toothbrushes will always be needed for excellent oral hygiene. These two technological advances make it much easier than doing it manually.

Return from Braces Toothbrushes to Teeth and Gums