Over time, orthodontics has evolved, giving rise to new ways of aligning teeth, in many cases avoiding brackets and annoying braces that make it difficult to speak.
A clear example is invisible aligners. They fulfil the same function and times as conventional orthodontics, but for this, it is necessary to adapt some small reliefs on the teeth where the aligner is attached in order to be able to carry out the programmed movements successfully: these are the attachments.
Better hygiene, but don't neglect it
With aligners, as with braces, we must be meticulous with our dental hygiene, as these small reliefs can accumulate food debris, which is why we must brush thoroughly after each meal.
On the other hand, our saliva has components that help us defend ourselves against caries and other mouth diseases. When we put on aligners, the saliva does not circulate equally through our teeth, which means that our body's natural defences will not work. Therefore, it is always necessary to brush our teeth well before putting the aligners back on, to prevent food and plaque from getting trapped in our teeth and causing cavities in the future.
When we use orthodontics, a lot of dental movements are made, often resulting in small gaps appearing between the teeth during treatment. These small gaps can accumulate food debris, so it is important to clean this area well, and I can tell you that floss will not be effective.
Don't forget to use interproximal brushes.
In order to carry out good hygiene in cases where these small gaps appear, we use what are known as interproximal brushes. These are small, thin, elongated brushes that will allow us to remove the remains of food and plaque that may have accumulated in these gaps. In addition, we must not forget to floss the rest of the teeth where we cannot fit the interproximal brushes.
Aligners are also cleaned
Just as it is important to brush your teeth during orthodontics, it is also necessary to clean the aligners to avoid a bad taste in your mouth, bad breath and to maintain good hygiene in general.
The aligners should be brushed, above all, in the morning when we wake up and before putting them in after each meal. To do this, we should use a toothbrush, cold water and neutral soap to reach all the nooks and crannies. Toothpaste is not recommended, as it can erode the aligners and they will lose their transparency. Nor is it advisable to immerse them in mouthwash because they may stain.
So if you wear aligners, or are thinking about correcting your teeth and improving your smile, these tips will help.