BRUSHING
AND FLOSSING
Food particles and plaque naturally accumulate on the
teeth and on braces. This process could lead to tooth
decay and/or gum disease. Proper oral hygiene is vital
to prevent these problems from occurring during your orthodontic
treatment. The extra effort you give to keep your teeth,
braces and gums clean and healthy will result in a much
better orthodontic outcome.
BRUSHING
We recommend that you use a soft bristled toothbrush
with moderate force and a toothpaste that contains
fluoride. Place the toothbrush at an angle
so that you feel the bristles under your gum line
and use small circular motions. Completely clean
each surface of every tooth in your mouth, including
the areas above, below and between each brace. Each
surface of every tooth should be scrubbed with 10
strokes of the toothbrush. This should take
2-3 minutes.
We recommend that you brush at least 4 times
per day: after breakfast, after lunch (or as
soon as you get home from school), after supper
and at bedtime. Your toothbrush will wear out
faster because of your appliances, so be sure to
replace it whenever the bristles start to fray. Back to Top
1.
Use a soft toothbrush with a small amount of toothpaste.
Completely clean each surface of every tooth in
your mouth, including the areas above, below and
between each brace.
2.
Use circular, vibrating motions around the gum line.
Scrub each surface of every tooth with 10 strokes
of the toothbrush. This should take 2-3 minutes.
3.
Brush every tooth slowly. Brush the upper teeth
down.
4.
Brush the lower teeth up. Also brush your tongue
and the roof of your mouth
Remember that a toothbrush might not reach the areas under
the archwire properly. Proper oral hygiene also involves
flossing and the use of an interdental toothbrush (Proxabrush),
an antiseptic mouth rinse (Peroxyl) and a topical fluoride
(Phos-Flur). Back to Top
FLOSSING
Dental floss is a nylon thread that is used to remove
food particles and plaque from between the teeth. Flossing
is more difficult when you have braces on your teeth.
A floss threader may be needed to get the floss under
the archwire. Our staff will provide these for you (note:
floss threaders are reusable). Use a piece of floss about
12 inches long. Use the floss threader to get the floss
under the wire. Slide the floss up and down along the
tooth surface. When the tooth is clean the floss will
"squeak" as you slide it up and down along the
tooth surface. Be very careful to not pull with too much
force on your archwire.
Flossing is important and should be done every day. The
best time to floss is before bedtime after brushing to
remove the plaque missed by brushing. This process will
take more time than flossing without braces. If your gums
are not healthy, they may bleed the first few days you
floss. Remember that consistent brushing and flossing
will result in a great orthodontic smile! Back to Top
1.
Carefully pull waxed floss between wire and braces.
2.
Floss carefully around the gum area.
INTERDENTAL TOOTHBRUSH
An interdental toothbrush (Proxabrush) is another aid
you may find useful to keep your teeth, braces and gums
clean and healthy. It can be used to clean under orthodontic
wires and around braces. Use this device slowly so you
do not damage your braces. Back to Top
ANTISEPTIC
MOUTH RINSE (PEROXYL)
Peroxyl is an antiseptic dental rinse (active ingredient:
hydrogen peroxide 1.5%) used in orthodontics to
control minor gum inflammation and irritations from
orthodontic appliances. It is also used to cleanse
canker sores and minor wounds or other irritations
of the mouth and gums such as mouth burns, cheek
bites and toothbrush abrasions. Its oxygenating
action removes debris allowing natural healing to
occur.
We recommend that you rinse with half a capful (two
(2) teaspoons) around in the mouth for at least
one (1) minute, then spit out. Use up to four (4)
times daily after meals and at bedtime while wearing
orthodontic appliances. Back to Top
TOPICAL FLUORIDE (PHOS-FLUR)
Phos-Flur is a topical fluoride gel (active ingredient:
1.1% sodium fluoride) used in orthodontics as a
dental caries preventive. It is not a substitute
for tooth paste. Its action is twofold: to re-mineralize
tooth enamel which has been exposed to bacterial
acids and to act as an antibacterial agent.
We recommend that you apply a thin ribbon of Phos-Flur
Gel to the teeth with a toothbrush for at least
one (1) minute at bedtime, then spit out. Drinking
and eating are not recommended for thirty (30) minutes
after using Phos-Flur, since doing so will dilute
or rinse away the active ingredient. Back to Top
CLEANING A REMOVABLE APPLIANCE
All orthodontic appliances tend to accumulate food
particles and plaque just like teeth do. Every time
you brush your teeth, brush your removable appliance.
Once a day you should soak your appliance in a glass
of room temperature tap water with a denture-cleaning
tablet, such as Polident or Efferdent. This will
help prevent plaque buildup and oral infections
and will keep your appliance tasting better. Back to Top
