Braces & dental health: tips & tricks
On this page, we regularly share tips and tricks with you – from how to clean your braces and teeth properly to advice on optimal oral hygiene.
Christmas is coming. Here is how best to prepare yourself and your braces.
Ideally, book a professional oral hygiene session in good time – then your smile will look especially radiant in the Christmas photos.
Rather than nibbling Christmas biscuits throughout the day, it is better to eat them all quickly in one sitting. That way your teeth are not constantly exposed to sugar. And don't forget to brush your teeth afterwards. :-)
Can I keep doing sport with fixed braces?
In principle, this is of course possible, but for so-called high-risk sports I recommend wearing a custom-made mouthguard. High-risk sports include not only martial arts such as judo and karate, but also team sports such as basketball or hockey.
To make it, an impression is taken of the teeth and a dental technician produces a custom mouthguard. Thanks to its precise fit, it offers optimal protection for the teeth, the jaws and even the fixed braces.
Ideally, bring the mouthguard along to your regular check-ups so that we can make sure it still fits perfectly.
Back-to-school tip from Dr. Anne Wunderlich for everyone wearing braces
Take a healthy snack to school! With fixed braces, soft foods are best.
Allow enough time in the morning before school to brush your teeth.
Don't forget: change your toothbrush every 3 months! (i.e. 2x per school semester)
Holiday tips for your teeth & braces!
Even on your summer holiday, you should never neglect proper dental care and oral hygiene! Here is our checklist for you: Healthy teeth on holiday!
- Along with sun cream and beach reading, your luggage should of course include a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss. A mild painkiller is also a good idea for emergencies.
- If you use an electric toothbrush, find out in advance which plugs are used in the country you are travelling to. You may need to take a socket adapter with you.
- On long-haul flights or long car journeys, it is a good idea to carry a travel toothbrush or a disposable toothbrush.
- Especially in southern countries, unfamiliar spices or spicy food can irritate the lining of your mouth and make it sensitive. Special mouthwashes and tinctures for gargling can help.
- If you have mild pain, you should definitely avoid coffee and nicotine – and direct sunlight too, as heat would only make the pain worse. Cool compresses relieve the discomfort, and mild painkillers can tide you over for a few hours.
- If you have acute toothache, you should always see a dentist.
Doctor's tip for braces wearers: What should I do if I need a filling replaced during orthodontic treatment?
Invisalign® braces: In this case, please take your aligner with you to the dentist – the dentist can normally adapt the filling to it without any difficulty. If this doesn't work, please contact us, as we will then need to order new aligners for you!
Fixed braces: Sometimes the wire has to be removed by your dentist or by us and then put back in so that the filling can be done. Please schedule these appointments close together so that the wire does not lose its effect and the teeth do not shift back.
Doctor's tip for braces wearers: Is it a problem if I become pregnant during orthodontic treatment?
Every woman who would like to become pregnant is advised to have a dental check-up before the pregnancy. During orthodontic treatment, it is important to “keep up” oral hygiene as far as possible.
Pregnancy is a systemic aetiological factor for gum inflammation (gingivitis), and an orthodontic appliance adds a further risk factor for gum inflammation.
Braces tip for the summer:
On holiday in particular, children and teenagers are often tempted to go without their brace. So as not to jeopardise the success of the treatment, parents should make sure that the brace, a suitable storage case and cleaning supplies come along too. Night-time braces and removable braces should also be worn regularly.
Doctor's tip: Do teeth stay straight for life after treatment with braces?
During orthodontic treatment with braces, the teeth are loosened in a controlled way so that they can be moved into their optimal position. Once the braces have been removed, the teeth must continue to be supported until they are sufficiently stable. Otherwise they would quickly shift again.
I choose the best individual solution to “remind” the teeth of their correct position until new bone has formed and anchored them firmly in the jaw again. Most patients receive a retainer to wear at night. For some patients, we also attach a wire retainer to the inside of the teeth.
The first year after treatment is particularly important for a lasting result. To ensure a beautiful, healthy smile in the long term, we give patients a personal plan showing when and how often they need to wear their retainer. You come to see us for a check-up every 3–4 months.
Dental tip for the summer
In summer especially, drinks are often served with ice cubes. Despite the heat, though, it is better to steer clear of drinks that are too cold, as they are particularly bad for your teeth and braces. They can very easily cause cracks in the tooth enamel.
7 top tips for beautiful teeth
These tips not only protect your teeth – they also put your most beautiful smile on your face!
- Brush your teeth thoroughly after every main meal and after eating anything sweet.
- After acidic food, wait at least half an hour before brushing your teeth (otherwise you will wear away the weakened enamel even further).
- Rinse your mouth with water if you have no opportunity to brush your teeth.
- If a “sweet attack” strikes, it is best to satisfy it straight away rather than spreading it over the day (better to eat a whole bar of chocolate quickly in one sitting than to keep snacking).
- Avoid repeatedly sipping fruity and sugary drinks between meals.
- Sugar-free chewing gum stimulates saliva production.
- Make sure you get enough fluoride – it is found in mineral water, salts and teas – and use fluoride toothpaste.
Dental health tip: green tea
Green tea contains particularly valuable bioactive substances that fight both the bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad breath, and help to prevent tartar from forming. But be careful – always drink it lukewarm and unsweetened.
Dental care tip - the golden rule:
Brushing your teeth twice a day – in the morning and in the evening after dinner – is a must. Use a soft toothbrush and brush the tooth surfaces with up-and-down movements for at least two and a half minutes.
Dental care is especially important if you wear braces.
Dental care tips: for your teeth and braces
These tips not only protect your teeth – they also put your most beautiful smile on your face!
Brushing – but the right way
Teeth should be brushed at least 2x a day. A particularly important area is the neck of the tooth along the gum line: it should be cleaned very thoroughly so that bacteria and germs cannot settle there. And if you clean the spaces between your teeth every evening with floss or other aids and also give your teeth a particularly thorough clean once a week, you are doing a great deal to prevent tooth decay and periodontitis.
The ideal brushing technique
Each time you brush, it should take at least 3 minutes. It can help to clean your teeth in the same order every time, for example: first the chewing surfaces, then the outer surfaces and finally the inner surfaces. Ideally, guide the toothbrush over the tooth surfaces with little pressure. That means holding the toothbrush in your fist and making gentle movements. Never scrub – this can damage your gums.
The perfect toothbrush
When buying a new toothbrush, make sure the bristles are rounded, as these are particularly gentle on the gums. It is also important to change your toothbrush regularly. You should start using a new brush every eight to twelve weeks, because damaged bristles can injure the gums – and the cleaning effect wears off, making it easier for bacteria to settle.
The right toothpaste
It is very important to choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
Dental floss, dental tape and co.
Dental floss, dental tape and interdental brushes are essential oral hygiene aids. You should use at least one of these aids regularly to clean the spaces between your teeth.
Doctor's tip: cleaning fixed braces properly
If you have fixed braces, please brush thoroughly. Nothing is more annoying than teeth that are straight but damaged.
Brushing tip: after eating!
Brush your teeth after every main meal and after eating anything sweet. Rinse your mouth with water if you have no opportunity to brush your teeth.
Raisins - for your braces?
Some people hate them, others love them – raisins divide opinion. But on one thing we agree: these small, sweet dried fruits provide three well-researched plant compounds that fight the bacteria responsible for tooth decay and periodontal disease. As a result, these germs cannot take hold. A handful of raisins a day therefore helps to prevent plaque.
Dental care tip: never forget – floss!
Ideally use it daily, or at least every 2nd day. Unfortunately, many people often forget, but only dental floss can ensure that the spaces between your teeth stay clean and therefore free of decay. Floss is now even available in all kinds of flavours!
Dental care tip: quick care to go
If you are always on the move, you have little time to brush your teeth during the day. A quick solution: simply chew sugar-free gum after eating – the increased saliva production protects against tooth decay & co.
Dental health tip: the king of herbs
Did you know? Parsley is considered the king of herbs for our teeth, because it contains almost everything they need, such as vitamins A and C, carotene, calcium, fluorine and folic acid. Ideally, sprinkle it raw over your meals or chew a few leaves in between. Don't cook it – otherwise the more heat-sensitive substances are lost!
Oral hygiene for braces wearers
Regular professional oral hygiene (teeth cleaning) is essential to remove even really stubborn bacterial plaque. Many areas are often difficult for us to reach ourselves. People who have professional oral hygiene more often also have healthier teeth and gums.
Health tip: cheese and braces
Treat yourself to a piece of mature cheese at the end of a meal. According to a new study, this strengthens tooth enamel. Calcium and the trace element phosphate appear to be incorporated directly into the enamel and take effect immediately. Calcium and phosphate also neutralise acids from other foods.
5 top tips for a radiant smile - even with braces!
Summer is just around the corner! Who couldn't use a few tips to get their teeth into top shape? After all, summer is the season when we laugh and have fun the most – and of course we want to look our best while doing so. That's why we're revealing how to put your most beautiful smile on your face!
• Hands off the ice cubes – ice cubes and drinks that are too cold are particularly bad for your teeth. They can very easily cause cracks in the tooth enamel.
• Please don't forget to clean your tongue! Particularly large numbers of bacteria and fungi collect on the tongue, which can lead to tooth decay, periodontitis and unpleasant bad breath. Ideally, use a tongue scraper every day to clean your tongue.
• Quick help on the go – dental care chewing gum! If you are out and about and don't have a toothbrush to hand, dental care chewing gum can help. It contains xylitol, which inhibits the bacteria that cause tooth decay. But please, in moderation! We strongly advise against constant gum chewing.
• Oral hygiene – regular professional oral hygiene is essential to remove even really stubborn bacterial plaque. Many areas are often difficult for us to reach ourselves. People who have professional oral hygiene more often also have healthier teeth and gums.
• Dental floss – ideally use it daily, or at least every 2nd day. Unfortunately, many people often forget, but only dental floss can ensure that the spaces between your teeth stay clean and therefore free of decay. Floss is now even available in all kinds of flavours!
Toothache on holiday? Here are our first-aid tips.
Toothache has a habit of striking exactly when you need it least: at the weekend or on holiday. That's why today we're giving you a few tips on what you can do about acute toothache while on holiday.
Toothache: If you get toothache on holiday, you should avoid direct sunlight. Find a shady, sheltered spot instead. Avoid drinks that are too hot, as well as alcohol and cigarettes. Mild toothache can be treated with painkillers. If the toothache is severe, it is better to see a dentist, even abroad.
Swelling: You can relieve swollen gums or a swollen cheek, and the pain they cause, with cold compresses. The flannel or cloth should be cool but not ice-cold, otherwise the blood supply to the affected area will be reduced too much. Ice cubes or a cool pack should therefore also be wrapped in a cloth. It also helps to cool the area from the inside with cool drinks.
Knocked-out tooth: The first step if a tooth or part of a tooth has been knocked out is: stay calm! Heavy bleeding often subsides after a short time. Try to find the knocked-out tooth, but do not touch it by the root. Take the tooth or tooth fragment with you and see a dentist as quickly as possible.
Bleeding gums: If your gums keep bleeding, you should regularly rinse and disinfect your mouth with sage or camomile tea until you can see a dentist. For heavy gum bleeding or gum inflammation, mouthwashes or oral gels containing the active ingredient chlorhexidine, used several times a day, can help. Keep the solution in your mouth for as long as possible so that it can take effect.
Loose or dislodged dental work: If a crown or bridge has come off completely while you are on holiday, you can temporarily fix it in place with white toothpaste or denture adhesive. If the crown has only come loose or you have lost a filling, some chemists sell temporary products to tide you over.
Sensitive teeth: Do hot or cold drinks and food cause you pain? If so, you can treat the sensitivity of your teeth and relieve the pain with special toothpastes, fluoride gel or a fluoride mouthwash.
These first-aid tips are not a permanent solution. If any of these situations occurs on holiday, you should see a dentist as soon as you get back!
Care tip: toothbrush hygiene
Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly under running water straight after brushing. Then make sure you store it properly so that the brush head can dry quickly – this helps prevent bacteria from forming. The toothbrush should be replaced roughly every three months.
How to get your perfect holiday photo - with or without braces!
Many people know the problem: it is precisely in the holiday photos you want to show your family and friends that you are unhappy with your smile. That's why today we're sharing a few tricks to help you look good in every photo!
The perfect preparation: oral hygiene
You can only manage a beautiful smile if you feel confident. If your teeth aren't clean, you won't want to show them to the world. So the motto is: brush carefully and use dental floss. And above all, have professional oral hygiene regularly.
Lipstick that makes your teeth pearly white
These lipstick shades reduce the yellow in your teeth and make them look brighter and whiter:
Strawberry red: creates a strong contrast with your teeth and makes them shine
Blue undertones: play down the yellow in your teeth
No-go: orange and yellow shades intensify the yellow and dull your smile
Moisturise your lips
A smile with flaky or chapped lips is never flattering. Exfoliate your lips with a special lip scrub and apply lip balm or gloss to keep them in good shape.
Use other make-up to emphasise your smile
Foundation, blusher and tinted moisturiser can create a contrast with your smile and emphasise it even more. Choose shades that suit your skin tone. Your teeth look whiter if you use darker make-up that is reminiscent of a suntan.
Be confident!
Smiling isn't about looking perfect – it's about being happy and confident. Your smile looks more beautiful when your face radiates self-confidence and relaxation. So don't worry too much about your appearance. Take care of yourself and the way you look – and simply be yourself.