——"World Orthodontic Health Day" Oral Health Care Series Science Popularization (3)
Sun Wenhao, Department of Stomatology, Characteristic Medical Center (formerly 306 Hospital).
Edited by Liu Yan/Cui Yan, Medical Science Popularization Center
For people who wear appliances for the first time, special attention should be paid to ensuring oral hygiene, fully understanding the precautions after wearing appliances, and avoiding oral problems caused by appliances.
Brush your teeth properly
Mastering the correct brushing method is the first priority after wearing the aligners. It is recommended to brush your teeth after each meal for at least 3-5 minutes each time. When brushing your teeth, make sure that every side of each tooth is brushed, including the surface of the appliance and the gap between the teeth. Use a fluoride toothpaste, which can help reduce the risk of tooth decay. For parts of the appliance that are difficult to clean, you can use an orthodontic toothbrush or an interdental brush to clean it.
with mouthwash
After a meal or when you can't brush your teeth right away, you can use a mouthwash to remove food debris and bacteria from your mouth. If you have gingivitis or other oral problems, you should seek medical attention promptly.
Be mindful of what you eat
Avoid eating too hard, sticky food, do not gnaw, and large pieces of food need to be cut off before eating, otherwise some attachments of the appliance may fall off, or cause damage to the appliance and increase the risk of tooth decay.
Clean the appliances regularly
Appliances tend to accumulate food debris and bacteria, so they need to be cleaned regularly. You can use clean water or a special appliance cleaner to clean it, and try to avoid using cleaners that contain alcohol or other harsh ingredients to avoid damage to the appliance and mouth.
Use appliances correctly
Follow your doctor's instructions to use the appliance correctly, and do not adjust or change the position and strength of the appliance at will. If there is a problem with the appliance or it is not suitable for timely medical treatment, do not solve it on your own.
These are some of the things to keep in mind when patients wear appliances for the first time and maintain oral hygiene. Through the above measures, you can ensure the hygiene and health of the oral cavity during the orthodontic treatment, improve the comfort of wearing the aligners, reduce the discomfort, and lay a good foundation for the alignment and aesthetics of the subsequent teeth.
(The picture comes from the Internet)