Yes, you can! Our patients in Bedford, Southlake, and all over the Dallas/Ft. Worth metro area want to know how to take care of their teeth during orthodontic treatment. The short answer is, that it just takes a little bit of extra time, but having the right tools can make it super easy. One of those tools is an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes work great on metal or clear braces. In most cases, they will provide a more consistent clean which is why more and more orthodontic professionals are recommending them. Here’s why, a study by the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics in 2013 concluded that:
“The electric toothbrush, with either brush head, demonstrated significantly greater plaque removal over the manual brush. The orthodontic brush head was superior to the regular head.”
This means that electric toothbrushes clean more thoroughly and promote better oral hygiene than manual toothbrushes for people with braces or other orthodontic appliances.
What makes electric toothbrushes more effective than manual ones?
Electric toothbrushes are more effective for two main reasons: The oscillating motion of the brush head allows the bristles to reach in-between teeth and braces more easily, and their rapid movement breaks up plaque and food particles much quicker than a manual toothbrush.
What brand of electric toothbrush should I choose?
Always make sure a toothbrush has the ADA Seal on the package. This means it has been certified by the American Dental Association as safe and effective. There are many brands of electric toothbrushes; the Philips Sonicare series and the Oral-B Pro series are two of the most popular.
Look for an electric toothbrush that has a small head and soft bristles, as this helps getting around and in-between teeth, braces, bands, and wires much easier, and is also softer on your gums.
My child has braces, and I have a tough time making sure they brush their teeth thoroughly. Will an electric toothbrush make it easier?
Most electric toothbrushes have timers or will “pulse” to keep track of time (usually every 30 seconds). This will help anyone brush their teeth for longer, as studies have shown people brush for shorter periods with manual toothbrushes. It is recommended to brush for at least 2 minutes, and almost all electric toothbrushes are set to let you know when those 2 minutes have passed.
Keeping your braces brushed & clean
If you’ve never used electric toothbrushes before, switching over to one may seem unimportant. Take advantage of how an electric toothbrush can make living with braces much easier, promoting better oral hygiene and a brighter smile!
If you found this article informative, please see our life with braces page or our blog for more.