Care and maintenance braces

Fixed braces, also known as bracket braces, require extra attention for daily oral hygiene. There are many separate brackets and each must be carefully kept clean:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a toothbrush (manual or electric toothbrush).
• Use fluoride toothpaste.
• Use interdental brushes or an orthodontic toothbrush to clean well between the brackets and remove food particles from the gaps between your teeth. This prevents cavities and also protects your gums from potential inflammation.
• Avoid sticky and hard foods to prevent damage to the braces.

Removable braces may be easier to clean, but it still requires careful maintenance:

• Rinse your braces with water after every meal.
• Clean your braces daily with a toothbrush and mild soap.
• It's best not to use toothpaste for cleaning, as it can cause scratches.
• Occasionally use a special cleaning tablet for a deeper clean. You can easily purchase these cleaning tablets at any pharmacy.

Lingual or invisible braces are placed on the inside of the teeth. This makes these types of braces a bit more difficult to maintain, requiring an extra careful cleaning routine:

• Brush your teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste as usual, as if you weren’t wearing the lingual braces.
• Brush even more carefully along the inside of your teeth where the lingual braces are located.
• Use interdental brushes to remove food particles between the brackets.
• Considering using a water flosser or already have one at home? Great choice! Using a water flosser alongside your toothbrush helps to clean not only your teeth but also your lingual braces thoroughly. The powerful water jet helps to remove debris from hard-to-reach areas, keeping your oral hygiene optimal.
• Limit sugary and acidic drinks to prevent staining and tooth decay.

Aligners are transparent but can discolor more quickly if not properly maintained:

• Remove the aligners from your mouth before eating.
• Rinse your aligners with lukewarm water every morning before putting them back in.
• Clean them every evening with a soft brush and mild soap (do not use toothpaste as it can cause scratches).
• Occasionally use special cleaning tablets.
• Avoid drinking coffee, tea, or soda (such as cola) while wearing the aligners to prevent discoloration.

An expander is a very specific orthodontic appliance and requires a slightly different cleaning routine:

• Brush your teeth thoroughly with a toothbrush and toothpaste as you would if you weren’t wearing the expander.
• Now, brush the expander as thoroughly as possible, paying particular attention to:
  • The central part of the expander
  • The screws
  • The edges of the expander
  • The areas where the expander touches or covers the gum line
• If you have a water flosser at home or are considering getting one, it’s perfect! In addition to your toothbrush, a water flosser will allow you to clean both your teeth and your expander more thoroughly. The water flosser shoots a powerful jet of water to clean hard-to-reach areas.

A night retainer helps keep your teeth in place after orthodontic treatment and requires good maintenance:

• Rinse the retainer with lukewarm water every morning after wearing it.
• Clean it with a soft brush and mild soap (no toothpaste!) and rinse it thoroughly.
• Occasionally use cleaning tablets.
• Always store the retainer in a clean, dry case.