Marissa Bell advises dental professionals on how to help patients maintain oral health and hygiene while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
For many people, the start of orthodontic therapy represents an exciting step towards the smile that always dreamed. However, it is also a time when the established oral care routines should be significantly evolved in parallel. Specialized Orthodontist Dr. Marissa Bell has seen how patients of all ages adapt to the requirements of straps or alignrs relatively quickly because they have motivated good results, but their attachment to oral health routines sometimes need more time to adapt.
“The most common patients with obstacles are facing that oral hygiene routines suddenly become much more complex,” he explains. “With steady straps, I suggest patients to brush three times a day and incorporate additional cleaning tools beyond their standard toothbrush. Alignment users can manage brushing twice a day, but they must also keep their aligners meticulously.
“Whatever the method of treatment, routine becomes much more demanding and the establishment of these new habits requires understanding of logic and patience to establish it.”
What is the best cleaning tool during orthodontic treatment?
Dr. Bell has noticed significant differences in the results based on the selection of patient cleaning tools. “There is not just a competition between manual and powered brushes when it comes to orthodontic care. The fixed straps create countless small spaces where the plate can accumulate, while the aligners sit on each surface of the teeth. You need a dynamic cleaning action to effectively approach these areas.
Her clinical experience has shown consistently higher results with audio technology. “The sweeping effect of hair and the dynamics of Sonicare brushes create the ideal cleaning forces. Since I recommend brushes, I have documented significantly lower plaque levels and healthier gum tissue in patients using this technology compared to those based on manual brushing. “
What is particularly aimed at Dr. Bell is the intuitive nature of the sound brush. “It is not dependent on the technique in the way it can be manual brushing. Patients can maintain their known brush movements without learning completely new methods. This is particularly valuable for younger children who continue to develop skill and older adults who can find complex challenging technical. Ergonomic design makes it accessible to all age groups.
It usually plans initial orthodontic evaluations around the age of seven. “At this stage, children have their first permanent molars and many adult anterior teeth, allowing us to evaluate growth standards and determine whether early intervention can be beneficial. When the treatment is indicated for this age group, I prefer clear aligners. Children can continue their usual brush routine, while parents take responsibility for maintaining alignment. This distribution of work reduces stress for the whole family.
How can parents help orthodontic treatment of children succeed?
Parental participation, he stresses, often determines the success of treatment. “For children under 10, I suggest parents to supervise at least one of the brush sessions twice a day. In the evenings they work better, as there is no rush in the morning and thorough cleaning before bedtime is critical. Two minutes feels long even for adults, so parental guidance helps to ensure adequate cleaning time.
Having a brush with a built -in sextant timer as it appears in Sonicare Brush is a real bonus. I also recommend that parents handle the cleaning of alignrs. Sound brushes are superior to this task, removing the biofilm and debris from the aligned liner who will otherwise remain in contact with the teeth throughout the day. To do this, a small amount of toothpaste reappears in the brush after cleaning the teeth and the Sonicare cleans deep into each alignment hairstyle.
The intervertitating cleaning has particular challenges during orthodontic treatment. “The traditional thread becomes almost impossible with steady braces, and even interlocutors can prove to be difficult to maneuver. This is where powered irrigation devices such as PowerFlosser become invaluable. They provide an effective alternative when conventional methods are lacking. Patients with alignment have the advantage of removable devices, but many continue to appreciate the efficiency and simplicity of the supply supply cleaning to make sure that each surface of the teeth is thoroughly cleaned. “
The challenge of adolescents
Teenagers, he notes, require special attention. “Adult patients usually maintain excellent hygiene alignment and parents manage cleaning for younger children. Teenagers represent our greatest challenge. They can brush their teeth diligently, but they neglect their aligns, perhaps assuming it doesn’t matter since they will receive a new weekly. However, the use of infected alignrs over pure teeth completely undermines their efforts. I always emphasize that cleaning the alignment with a sound brush and minimal toothpaste is non -negotiable.
Adult patients often express concerns about teeth staining. “Tea, coffee, red wine and food foods create the greatest dangers. Instead of asking patients to further reduce their already limited nutrition, I encourage raising awareness and preventive management. Powerful brushes help fight the surface more effectively than manual alternatives. Simple modifications, such as adding milk to hot drinks, can also reduce the risk of discoloration.
Consistency supports all its recommendations. “My approach is simple: Three daily brush sessions for users, twice a day for alignment patients. The fed brush enhances the results in both scenarios. This simple context gives patients the best foundations for maintaining excellent oral health throughout treatment.
The future
Looking forward, Dr. Bell is optimistic about technological progress in oral care. “Every innovation that simplifies domestic care represents genuine progress.”
Its philosophy extends beyond the achievement of equal teeth. “My goal is for every patient to complete the treatment not only with an attractive smile, but also with healthy teeth and supporting tissues that will serve them for decades. The right combination of technique and technology, including audio brushing and supplying mediation cleansing, makes it possible. These improvements in daily practice are what make our specialty so rewarding. “
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This article is funded by Philips.
