Over 3.5 million kids and teens begin orthodontic treatment per year, usually braces. This is a staggering amount of people obtaining braces per year, and properly caring for them all the time can be tricky. From flossing to understanding the right foods to eat, having braces can be troubling.

One way to keep your braces in tip-top shape is to find the right toothbrush. To find the best toothbrush for braces, just keep reading.

Types of Braces

Normal braces come in a wide range of materials that can be broken down into two general categories. The two main categories include metal braces and invisible braces.

Metal Braces

This type of braces is usually made from stainless steel or stainless steel mixed with titanium. These braces have withstood the test of time when it comes to orthodontic correction, as this type has been around the longest.

However, now, they are lighter and maybe colored, which is a favorite among kids and teens. Most people will use these types of braces as this is the most popular option.

Invisible Braces

Invisible braces are a recent advancement in orthodontic correction. There is a wide range of “invisible braces,” including clear plastic traditional braces to a system of custom-fitted retainers that are nearly invisible.

While invisible braces can be used by teens, they are much more common among the adult population.

How to Keep Your Braces Clean

With braces, it may seem like there’s nothing harder than keeping them clean. Braces are a barrier between you and your teeth so it can be nearly impossible to keep them entirely clean.

However, there are many ways you can stay on top of cleaning your braces and teeth.

Flossing

Although flossing may seem impossible with the metal obstructing you from getting to your teeth, it is extremely important to floss when wearing braces.

It may take extra time to thread the floss around the wires, but it is worth it to keep your teeth clean. There are other options that can make flossing easier with braces, such as floss picks or water flossers, which will remove the food particles from your teeth without threading the floss.

Mouthwash

It is incredibly important, especially when you first get your braces, to use mouthwash. When you first get your braces, the brackets will be more likely to collect food and plaque, which can affect your breath and overall oral healthcare.

Using mouthwash after you brush and floss is a great way to remove excess bacteria that may be floating around in your mouth.

Diet

Keeping your braces clean by following the specific dietary instructions given to you by your orthodontist is one key factors when you have braces. Unfortunately, you might be asked to give up your favorite foods.

You should avoid sticky food such as gum or gummy candy as well as other foods like popcorn, chips, and corn on the cob.

Choosing the Right Toothbrush

The most important factor in keeping your teeth clean is finding the right toothbrush that will clean your teeth properly behind the braces. While a standard toothbrush will work, other options, such as an electric toothbrush or spindle brush may be better suited to cleaning your teeth with braces.

What to Look For in a Toothbrush

When it comes to looking for a toothbrush, the most important thing to consider is finding something that will properly maintain your tooth and gum health. There are a few things you can look for when searching for the right toothbrush.

Ability to Dislodge

It is probable that food will often get stuck in the archwire and brackets of your braces. It is vital to find a toothbrush that will have the ability to dislodge the food and plaque buildup in between your brackets.

Soft, Round Bristles

Any toothbrush with soft, round bristles will keep your teeth clean and will be able to remove the debris found in your braces. Regular use of this brush will be able to better clean the gum line where bacteria can build up, a place where you might miss when you have braces.

Braces can cause discomfort on their own, so it is important to find a brush that will not cause more discomfort in your mouth. Look for a brush with soft, nylon bristles as hard-bristled brushes can wear down your teeth’ enamel and may gums puffy and aggravated.

Additionally, round bristles can better protect oral tissue from damage.

What Kind of Brush Should You Use?

There are many opportunities and obstacles to different kinds of toothbrushes, including cleaning power, price, and user-friendliness. Should you use a regular toothbrush or an electric one? When it comes to ease of use and cleaning power, electric toothbrushes are the way to go.

Electric toothbrushes have been proven to eliminate 21% more plaque than regular brushes and reduce gum disease by 11%. In that regard, their cleaning power is superior to regular brushes.

Even a thorough brusher cannot get the same results with a regular toothbrush as one can get with an electric one.

Additionally, electric toothbrushes take the work out of brushing for you, making them much more user-friendly than a regular toothbrush. All you do is hold the brush at a 45-degree angle and move the brush to different sections of your mouth.

As it rotates, it will clean your mouth more thoroughly than a regular toothbrush because you do not have to generate the circular and back-and-forth motions yourself.

You should also be brushing your teeth for at least 2 minutes. Most electric toothbrushes have a 2-minute timer so, you will not be left guessing if you have brushed long enough.

Best Toothbrush For Braces

As previously stated, electric toothbrushes are the best for your teeth in general, especially when it comes to wearing braces. The following are the best electric toothbrushes currently on the market.

Oral-B Pro 1500

This brush is great because it comes with a small, round brush head that is clinically proven to clean teeth and remove plaque buildup. Additionally, it has a 2-minute timer with 30-second paced timers telling you when to move the brush to a different area.

Additionally, there is a pressure sensor that shines red when you brush your teeth too hard. There is also a rechargeable battery that will get you about two weeks of use before having to charge again.

Oral-B Pro 6000

This brush is very helpful when cleaning braces as it has a variety of cleaning modes that allows you to achieve different oral healthcare goals. Each of these different modes is timed with a pacer to give equal attention to different parts of your mouth.

This brush is very different, as it has Bluetooth connectivity that helps you track and log how well you have been cleaning your teeth in both time and pressure.

Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100

While special brush heads are not a requirement for braces, this brush features a microchip that communicates when you need to replace the head. Changing your brush head is essential for when you have braces because a worn-down brush head can cause damage to your teeth and gums.

There is a 2-minute timer with 30-second pacers, as well as an automatic power-off feature. There is also a built-in pressure sensor and a vibrating handle when it detects excessive force.

Achieving Proper Oral Health

While electric toothbrushes do have more benefits to your teeth, you can achieve healthy oral health with a manual toothbrush. You can find the best toothbrush for braces in either of these options.

It is also vital to continue your research on oral health and to keep up to date on how to care for your oral health properly. For the most up-to-date oral health tips, check out these articles for all of your oral healthcare needs.

Overall, you should floss, use mouthwash, watch what you eat, and most importantly, find the right toothbrush to care for your braces. Doing these things will ensure proper oral health and maintenance of your braces.