Oral Hygiene
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
Dr. Rigali & Dr. Walder recommend that you use a soft bristled toothbrush with moderate force and 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.
Dr. Rigali & Dr. Walder recommend that you brush at least 3 times per day: after breakfast, after lunch (or as soon as you get home from school), and at bedtime. Your toothbrush will wear out faster because of your appliances, so be sure to replace it whenever the bristles start to wear out or look frayed.
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.
4. Brush the upper teeth down.
5. Brush the lower teeth up.
6. Also brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth. Remember that a toothbrush might not reach the areas under the archwire properly.
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. 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!
1. Carefully pull waxed floss between wire and braces.
2. Floss carefully around the gum area.
Visit www.platypusco.com for more information.
Proper oral hygiene also involves the use of a Proxabrush and a topical fluoride (Phos-Flur)!
Proxy 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.
Topical Fluoride
(PHOS-FLUR)
Phos-Flur is a topical fluoride rinse (active ingredient: 1.1% sodium fluoride) used in orthodontics as a dental care preventive. It is not a substitute for toothpaste. Its action is twofold: to re-mineralize tooth enamel which has been exposed to bacterial acids and to act as an antibacterial agent.
Dr. Rigali & Dr. Walder recommend that you rinse with Phos-Flur 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.
Stim-U-Dent Plaque Removers
These plaque removers fight gum disease that can lead to tooth loss.
1. Moisten thoroughly in mouth.
2. Insert pointed end between teeth with flat side next to gums.
3. Use gentle in and out motion to clean between teeth. Do not force into tight spaces between teeth.
Sonicare Oral Hygeine Program
For some of our patients, children and adults alike, it is difficult to adhere to the strict oral hygiene regimen that is necessary for good dental health during orthodontic treatment.
Studies have shown that mechanical toothbrushes are more effective at plaque removal around orthodontic braces than manual toothbrushes. Although, a diligent "brusher" and "flosser" can achieve the same results.
There are several mechanical toothbrushes on the market but there is only one that is truly outstanding. The Sonicare has brushes designed to reach around orthodontic brackets and under the wires, thus eliminating the proxy brush step.
The Sonicare is available through our office. Please ask our staff for a demonstration of this excellent oral hygiene product.
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.
FOR ALL YOUR DENTAL SUPPLY NEEDS visit Tooth Pix a dental supply specialty store located at Thornes Marketplace 150 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060 phone 413-587-0359 fax 413-587-0563 or visit online at www.toothpixstore.com
Try out our new Braces color selector 06/13/2011
If you're getting ready for new braces, why not try our new braces color picker. This will help you decide what color you would like to have on each tooth! Experiment with different colors - there are so many options.