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Good oral hygiene is very important, even more, important with braces, as more plaque builds up around wires, brackets, and bands. To prevent cavities and gum disease, it’s essential to clean both teeth and braces properly. Cleaning with a regular toothbrush is not enough and an extra cleaning device is needed. An electric toothbrush is a great option in this case, as they can more effectively clean underneath the wires. If you are looking for the best electric toothbrush for braces, there are several factors to know about Electric toothbrush.
Can you use an Electric Toothbrush with Braces?
A lot of people seem to be afraid of the pulsating feature that some Toothbrushes have. However, that does not really need to worry them because these toothbrushes generally have the “Sensitive” mode for this exact reason! That is something one could choose to use, and they would be fine using Electric Toothbrushes even if they have braces.
What to Look for When Choosing an Electric Toothbrush?
When it comes to braces, you’ll want to be more selective of your toothbrush for a few reasons. It’s easy for food to get caught under the arch-ware as well as between the brackets, and this could quickly lead to tooth decay. You’ll need toothbrushes that are designed to dislodge the food by slipping under every bracket. Some features are especially important if you have braces since they require extra care and cleaning in order to keep the teeth clean and healthy.
1. Talk to your dentist or orthodontist.
Electric toothbrushes come in a variety of types and offer many different features, so it can be difficult to decide which is best for you. If you’re lost and don’t know which toothbrush to pick, talk to your dentist or orthodontist. Either of these professionals will be able to talk with you about your specific situation and help you make the best decision.
2. Saving Time
Most electric toothbrushes come standard with a 2-minute timer. Some offer an additional feature called a “quad pacer,” which breaks up the 2 minutes into 30-second segments. This allows you to equally distribute your brushing into the 4 quadrants of your mouth for an even cleaning every time. Not only do you need to brush each individual tooth, but you should pay special attention to brushing under each wire and above each bracket. In the end, this will undoubtedly add up to more time spent in front of the mirror.
3. Bristle Stiffness
Just like manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrush heads come in a variety of bristle stiffness. One benefit of electric toothbrushes is that some models can use more than one type of toothbrush head so that you can choose the stiffness that’s most comfortable for you.
Softer bristles are preferable for braces as they will be less harsh on sensitive gums. Additionally, because soft bristles are the most pliable, they are better able to get into the hard to reach spaces in between wires.
4.Brushing Modes
Some electric toothbrushes offer multiple speeds or brushing modes for different purposes, while others only have one. The ability to change speeds for either a more gentle or more vigorous brushing is appealing, especially if you have certain sensitive areas in your mouth. For those with braces, a gentler brushing mode is typically preferable to avoid causing additional gum irritation.
5. Cost
Electric toothbrushes range in price from less than $50 to over $200. The more features a toothbrush offers, the more it will cost you in the end. Replacement heads also range in price and are usually offered in packs of 2 or 3 for around $20-30.
If you are just looking for a basic electric toothbrush for every day and don’t require any of the extra gadgets that some offer, you can expect to spend less than $100 for both the toothbrush and a pack of extra brush heads.
6. Rotating Head vs. Sonic Head
There are two different types of electric toothbrushes heads. A rotating toothbrush head is just what it sounds like. The head rotates, effectively sweeping away food particles and plaque. On the other hand, a sonic toothbrush head does not rotate but vibrates to clean the teeth. Studies have shown that rotating toothbrush heads are significantly more effective at reducing plaque and gingivitis than sonic toothbrush heads.
For people with braces, this difference is especially important. Most dentists recommend rotating heads for braces, as they are better able to clean in the tight spaces between wires and teeth.
Types of Electric Toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes come in two types: battery-powered and rechargeable. Both offer distinct advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before making your purchase.
1. Battery-powered toothbrushes
These usually run on an AA battery. They are handheld and work similarly to a manual toothbrush, but the bristles either spin or pulsate, aiding your brushing power. With this model, you may still have to use a brushing motion, since the power only enhances cleaning ability. On some models, you can replace the bristles when they wear down and keep the battery-powered base. Battery-powered toothbrushes are a cheaper option, usually ranging from $5 to $25.
2. Rechargeable toothbrushes
These models are usually recharged in a base that plugs into a wall outlet. You won’t have to worry about replacing batteries. They tend to offer more high-tech options like timers, pressure sensors, and reminders to replace the bristles. They also usually offer a variety of brushing options, like oscillation or vibration. Unlike with a battery-powered brush, you usually only have to glide the brush across your teeth, while the electric power provides all the brushing power. Accordingly, they are more expensive than battery-powered brushes. They usually range in price from $50 to $300, depending on the number of features included.
Advantages of Electric Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes have a significant advantage over manual models. Studies have shown that they clean the teeth more effectively.
- In one study performed over three months, it was shown that electric toothbrushes removed plaque 11% more effectively than manual toothbrushes.
- There was a decrease in inflammation and sensitivity of the gums which can cause frequent bleeding as well as a significant decrease in bleeding gums.
- Electric toothbrushes don’t require the brushing motion.
- They are simple in use by turning on the toothbrush and place the brush head on the teeth. It will do the work for you.
- You don’t need to apply any additional pressure you won’t have to worry about pushing too hard for a proper clean.
Key facts for using Electric Toothbrush for braces
The most important things to remember when using an electric toothbrush are:
They are not intended to be used the same way as a manual one. With an electric toothbrush, using a regular brushing motion can be too harsh on the gums, especially for those with sensitive teeth or braces. Instead, point the brush downward in between the teeth and allow the brush head to clean the spaces in between.
Then, turn the brush around and brush the area between the gums and the brackets of the braces. When using an electric toothbrush, it is important to regularly change the brush head as it will become worn over time. Typically, a brush head will last about 3 months. However, because braces tend to wear down bristles faster, it’s recommended that you change them more often.
What Makes Electric Toothbrushes a Perfect Choice for Braces?
If you need to wear braces common it is important that you keep your teeth clean. Although, in the long term braces will be able to give you that perfect smile and great looking teeth, you will need to be extra careful when you have your braces as they can harbor bacteria and food particles that get stuck easily in the metal and other components of the braces. When it comes to keeping your teeth clean, an electric toothbrush is a perfect choice.
1. Sensitive gums and Braces
If you have sensitive gums, or even just for those who have braces, you could choose an electric toothbrush that has a variable speed control. Slower speeds are better suited to braces as this is gentler and minimizes the risk of damaging your braces.
There are many manufacturers of electric toothbrushes that provide brush heads that are specially designed for orthodontic care. Brush heads have thin tufts of bristles that are arranged sparsely on the toothbrush and are designed to get into the metalwork and bands that make up your braces.
2. Smaller toothbrush
Though larger toothbrush heads cover more area, they don’t cover any specific areas effectively. Brushing with these toothbrushes often leads to missed plaque, sticky corners, and grooves that haven’t been properly cleaned. In dentistry, the key is for all teeth to be cleaned well, and this calls for smaller toothbrushes to target each tooth individually.
How to Brush Your Teeth with Braces?
If you have dental braces to straighten your teeth, it is important to take even better care of your oral hygiene. Follow these steps to thoroughly clean your teeth when you’re wearing braces.
Hold your toothbrush in the proper position
Your toothbrush should be at a 45° angle to the gum line and brush the outer surfaces of your teeth and braces. Brush all around the brace on each tooth, and then place your toothbrush directly on the brace to make sure that there is nothing stuck in it. Then clean the inner surfaces of your teeth. This is usually easier with an electric toothbrush. To do so, insert the bristles between your braces from the top and make a few brush strokes. Then insert it from the bottom and do the same. Repeat this motion until you cover all your teeth.
Tips
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
- Leave your toothbrush to charge whenever you are not using it.
- Some replacement heads for your toothbrush are designed to easily clean your braces. Click here
