Oral Hygiene

Careful inspection at every visit, preventive fluoride programs, and oral hygiene are very important throughout the duration of orthodontic treatment. Proper brushing and flossing three times daily is recommended, flowed by fluoride dentifrice and daily rinsing with a fluoride combination of daily brushing with a fluoridated dentifrice and daily rinsing with a fluoride was provide complete protection for the orthodontic patient by inhibiting demineralization or by promoting remineralization the surfaces at risk. Toothbrushing with a new relativity new electric, counterrotational power toothbrush is highly advisable. A rotary electric toothbrush is more effective than conventional toothbrushes for removing plaque and controlling gingivitis in adolescents during orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. A recent study that compared electric and manual toothbrushing found that the use of the electric system resulted in overall lower plaque scores. Another study of the effectiveness of the new appliance conclude that the plaque and gingival scores were significantly lower after brushing for two months with the electric counterrotational toothbrush then after brushing with manual one. Twice-daily use of the electric toothbrush with a standard fluoride toothpaste and once-daily use of a 0.05% NaF rinse is more effective for preventing decalcification in adolescents during the orthodontic treatment with fixed appliance then either conventional toothbrushing with a fluoride toothpaste, or toothbrushing and toothpaste with a once-daily NaF rinse. Electric toothbrushes of the new generation are real alternative to the often laborious manual hygiene may benefit from their use especially because plaque removal can be achieved easier and faster. The orthodontic treatment itself has an impact on oral hygiene in the long term as well; a study showed that children who received orthodontic treatment had a greater reduction of plaque and gingivitis than children who did not. This was related more to behavior factors than to improve tooth alignment.

Source: Viaziz AD, Atlas of Advanced Orthodontic: A Guide to Clinical Efficiency. W. B. Saunders Co, 1998