Braces can help to correct a number of orthodontic problems in kids crooked, overlapping, overcrowded teeth, malocclusion, etc. While they do their best to make the teeth look good aesthetically and improve the alignment it does make it difficult to perform a basic task routine of brushing and keeping the oral cavity germ free. But when you wear braces it is necessary to maintain good oral hygiene. Here is the right age for your child to get braces.
Here Dr Vaishali Karad - Director, Clinical Services and HR - Smile Care Expert Dental Centre, Mumbai gives tips for kids to brush the right way with the braces on:
If you are using the regular brush for your kid, here are few things to keep in mind:
Your child must brush teeth and gums at least three times a day, preferably after meals. If this is not always possible then at least ask your child to rinse the mouth thoroughly with water after lunch or snack.
It is best to use a soft bristle toothbrush with a small head, to easily access all areas of the mouth. Use fluoridated toothpaste, and train your child to spend at least three minutes for thorough brushing during each session. Keep in mind that your child doesn t overdo it. Being hard on the teeth and brushing too much can lead to erosion of the enamel and teeth sensitivity, so beware.
Make sure your child brushes both sides of each jaw separately and in sequence so that every surface of each tooth is taken care of.
Teach your child the correct technique to brush. Ask your child to angle the bristles of brush towards the gum, with the tips of the bristles at the gum line on the outer surfaces of the teeth, between the orthodontic wires and gum line. (The head of the brush will cover 2 or 3 teeth at a time). Now ask to jiggle the handle of the toothbrush to massage the gums with a light circular motion and then sweep over the teeth, away from the gums in one direction only. This will dislodge all the food particles stuck very effectively. Encourage to avoid the use of an up and down movement.
Ask your child to repeat this action a couple of times before moving on to the next segment of teeth. Do the same on the inner surfaces of the teeth, again starting at the gum line.
Don t forget to mention to your child to brush the chewing surfaces of the teeth in a scrubbing motion.
Brushing with braces using interdental brush
These are specialised brushes that help to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth when one is wearing braces. It helps to remove any food particles or plaque that collects around orthodontic brackets, wires and near the gum margins. Here is the correct way to teach your child to do interdental brushing
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It does not require toothpaste.
Always ask your child to enter the brush below the wire from the gum side (not the tooth side) with the small tuft of bristles on the brush reaching between two teeth, under the orthodontic wire and resting on the peak of the gums.
Make your child move the brush with several quick strokes in a single direction only, that is, towards the tip of the gum peak.
Use the interdental brush to clean around the orthodontic attachment on each tooth, the segment of wire between each tooth, and especially on every tooth surface between the braces and gum line.
Check that all areas are thoroughly cleaned and the braces are shiny.
Rinsing oral cavity
To protect the enamel of the teeth, it is advisable to gargle thoroughly and vigorously for at least one minute with undiluted fluoride-based mouthwash at least three or four times a day after meals, that is, after brushing your teeth and gums. Do not allow your child to eat, drink or gargle with water for 30 minutes after using a mouthwash.
This will help protect the enamel against decalcification leading to further decay. The decalcification happens because of the acid producing microbes which lodge themselves in plaque around the braces on the teeth.
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