How to Use an Electric Toothbrush with Braces Effectively

While maintaining oral health is very important, it's especially important to do so when you have braces. Some procedures, such as fillings, are much more complicated when you have braces, so it's crucial to do everything you can to keep your teeth healthy. An electric toothbrush can be a great tool for maintaining good oral health while wearing braces. In many ways, an electric toothbrush isn't much different from a manual toothbrush , but there are several things you should know about choosing and using an electric toothbrush so you can get the most out of it.

Choosing an electric toothbrush

Ask your dentist or orthodontist for advice . Electric toothbrushes come in several types and offer many different features, so it can be difficult to decide which one is best for you. If you're confused and unsure which toothbrush to choose, talk to your dentist or orthodontist. Each of these professionals will be able to discuss your specific situation with you and help you make the best decision.

Decide what type of electric toothbrush you will need. Electric toothbrushes come in two types: battery-powered and rechargeable. Both types have distinct advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before making your purchase  

• Battery-powered toothbrushes. These usually run on one AA battery. They are handheld and work similarly to manual toothbrushes, but with the difference that their bristles vibrate and rotate, improving brushing performance. Even with this model, you can still brush, as the energy only enhances the cleaning power. In some models, you can replace the bristles when they wear out and keep the battery holder. Battery-powered toothbrushes are a less expensive option, typically ranging from $5 to $25.
• Rechargeable electric toothbrushes. These models are usually recharged on the base stand that plugs into a wall outlet. You won't have to worry about replacing batteries. These brush styles feature high-tech options such as timers, pressure sensors, and alarms to signal bristle replacement. They also offer a variety of brushing options, such as oscillation or vibration. Unlike battery-powered brushes, you only need to guide the brush over your teeth, while the electric energy provides all the brushing power. As a result, these brushes are more expensive than battery-powered brushes. Their price generally ranges from $50 to $300, depending on the number of options the brush has.

Learn about the different features of electric toothbrushes. Both types of electric toothbrushes offer different features. You will find some options necessary, while others may seem less important. By weighing the pros and cons, you will be able to decide what is right for you and will be able to choose the best toothbrush for you .

• Timers. Some electric toothbrushes include timers that let you know how long you've been brushing. This can be helpful if you often lose track of time and don't brush long enough. Some more sophisticated timers record how long it takes you to brush each quadrant of your mouth.
• Pressure sensors. Some high-end rechargeable brushes include a sensor that lets you know if you're brushing too hard. This can be helpful if you have sensitive teeth or weak enamel. The sensor is especially useful if you wear braces, since brushing too hard can damage them.
• Protective cases. Some toothbrushes come with protective cases, but you can also purchase them separately. While traveling, your toothbrush can be damaged if it's not properly protected. Since electric toothbrushes are quite expensive, you should protect them in a case when traveling.
• Multiple brush head compatibility. Most electric toothbrushes have detachable brush heads so you can replace a brush when its bristles wear out while keeping the electric base. Some bases only fit one type of brush head, while others are compatible with multiple types. This could give you more options, whether you opt for a brush with softer or firmer bristles.
• Brushes with different settings. Some more expensive brushes offer multiple settings, while others, less expensive, offer very few options. If you want more options, choose a brush with multiple settings. These different settings include rotation (the brush head rotates in one direction), counter-rotation (the head rotates in different directions), rotation-oscillation (bristles of different lengths rotate in opposite directions), and oscillation-vibration (in addition to the oscillating motion, there is a vibrating motion added to enhance cleaning).

Try a simple electric toothbrush first before deciding to buy a more expensive model. While some people are comfortable with electric toothbrushes, others prefer manual toothbrushes. So, before buying an expensive electric toothbrush, it would be a good idea to first buy a less expensive model, especially a battery-powered one, to see if you like the feeling of electric brushes. If you do like them and decide to treat yourself to something more sophisticated, you can then invest in a more expensive model with more features.

Clean your teeth

Rinse your mouth with water before brushing. This is especially important when you have braces, as food gets stuck between your teeth. You need to loosen these food debris before you start brushing. Take a sip of water and swish it vigorously in your mouth for about 30 seconds. This will help dislodge any large pieces of food that may be stuck in your braces

Dip your toothbrush in water for a few seconds before brushing. This will help remove any debris or germs that may have accumulated since the last time you used it. Turn on the faucet and let the water run over the brush head for a few seconds. Then turn on the brush and let it burp under the water for a few seconds

Apply a fluoride toothpaste to your brush. You should always brush with a fluoride-based paste to ensure the health of your teeth. If you're unsure which toothpaste to choose, look for one that has the certification imprint of an accredited organization like the American Dental Association (ADA), which indicates that the product has been evaluated and approved. Click here for a list of ADA-certified toothpastes.

Spend 30 seconds brushing each section of your mouth. The mouth is divided into four sections or quadrants: the upper right (quadrant number one), the upper left (quadrant number two), the lower left (quadrant number three), and the lower right (quadrant number four). The division starts from the first central tooth and ends with the last molar. When brushing, spend at least 30 seconds on each quadrant. This will give you a total of 2 minutes of complete brushing, which is the time dentists recommend

Hold your toothbrush in the correct position. Place your toothbrush against your gum line, above your braces and on a row of teeth. Your toothbrush should form a 45° angle with the gum line

Brush the outer surfaces of your teeth. Hold your toothbrush at a 45° angle and brush the outer surfaces of your teeth as well as the braces. Brush all the way around the braces on each tooth, then place your toothbrush directly on the braces to ensure nothing gets stuck on your braces

Clean the inner surfaces of your teeth. The inner surfaces are the back parts of your teeth, the ones that face your mouth and throat. Brushing these areas is often easier with an electric toothbrush. Instead of doing the brushing motion, you can simply place the brush on the inner surfaces and let it do all the work 

• Pay particular attention to the lower sections of the internal surfaces, as these are where the most scale builds up

Brush the chewing surfaces. The chewing surfaces of your teeth are the top or bottom edges you use to chew food. Use circular, rotating motions to clean these chewing surfaces. Try to reach the back teeth. Tooth decay is common in the back because it's a hard-to-reach area.

Brush between the wires of the braces. Once you have brushed normally, clean the spaces on the braces. To do this, insert the bristles of the brush between the wires of the braces and give a few strokes at the top. Then insert the bristles from the bottom and do the same thing. Repeat this motion until you have gone over all the teeth .

• You may not be able to use your electric toothbrush for this step, depending on its features and the movements it makes. Rotating the brush, for example, could cause the bristles to get stuck and potentially damage your braces. In this case, turn off the electric option and continue the movement manually.

Avoid putting pressure on your braces. Brushing too hard could damage them. With an electric toothbrush, you don't need to apply a lot of pressure. Simply place the brush on your teeth and braces, turn it on, and it will do the rest of the work..

• Some electric brushes are equipped with pressure sensors that alert you when you're pressing too hard or even stop the bristles from moving when the toothbrush is pressing too hard.

Brush your tongue. Your tongue also needs to be brushed to keep your mouth clean, otherwise the bacteria on it will re-contaminate your mouth as soon as you stop brushing. Place your toothbrush on your tongue and use back and forth motions to thoroughly scrub the surface of your tongue. By doing this, you get rid of all the bacteria and your breath will become fresher 

Floss your teeth and braces. Flossing is especially important when you wear braces because food stuck between your teeth can cause infections and tooth decay. Insert the floss between the wires of your braces. Work the floss between your teeth using a gentle sawing motion. Then, use this same motion to clean the wires and brackets of your braces 

• Do not pull too hard when flossing or you risk breaking your appliance or moving it.
• If flossing seems difficult for you, dentists recommend using a water jet to achieve similar results.

Rinse your mouth with water. Once you have finished brushing your teeth, gums, and tongue, it is important to rinse your mouth. Take a sip of water, swish it vigorously around your teeth, and then spit it out 

Brush at least twice a day. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day to keep them healthy. With braces, you need to brush even more, especially if you eat sticky or hard foods. It's also helpful to rinse your mouth with water several times a day to dislodge food particles.

Taking care of your electric toothbrush

Rinse your toothbrush after each use. Run your toothbrush under the faucet for a few seconds after each use. This will help remove food particles and germs that could trigger illnesses

Replace the brush head every 3 months. As with any normal toothbrush, you should replace the bristle part every 3 months. Over time, the bristles wear out and the brush also loses its effectiveness.

Replace your brush batteries as soon as they run out. Leaving dead batteries in your toothbrush can cause them to leak, causing loss of your toothbrush and even poisoning you if the acid gets into your mouth.

Advice

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• Leave your toothbrush charging whenever you are not using it.
• Some replacement heads are specially designed to help you easily clean your braces.

Warnings

• Do not apply too much pressure to your gums, teeth, or braces, otherwise you may damage them.