ORAL HYGIENE WITH BRACES.

When you have braces, it’s very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and your appliance.

BRUSHING WITH BRACES

To get the best results from your dental hygiene routine, you should:

  • Brush gently at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline and around the top and bottom of the braces, moving the toothbrush in a small circular motion across all surfaces of the teeth in order to effectively remove bacteria, as well as any trapped food particles.
  • Brush at least three times per day, after breakfast and dinner as well as after getting home from school.
  • Replace your toothbrush or brush head every 3-4 months, or sooner if it shows signs of wear, or if you have a cold or any other illness.
  • Make it a point to look for clean and shiny braces, with the edge of the brackets clearly visible, as fuzzy or dull-looking metal can indicate poor brushing habits.
  • Floss at least once per day to remove bacteria and any food that has accumulated, taking advantage of tools like floss threaders and waterpiks if you are having difficulty getting into the tighter spaces.
  • Use antimicrobial and fluoride mouthwashes such as Orostar mouthrinse.
  • Use fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush with soft, rounded bristles.

Use interdental brush.

  • Clean the space between teeth & brace with interdental brush.

Click on video to play 

SHOULD I USE A MANUAL OR ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH FOR BRACES? 

  • An electric toothbrush actually promotes better oral hygiene for those with dental braces. An electric toothbrush will outperform a manual toothbrush before, during, and after orthodontic treatment for numerous reasons.
  • Electric toothbrushes make it easier to manage brushing because they have settings like timers and brushing intensity for better control.
  • They work well on metal, ceramic, and lingual braces. A two-minute timer that alerts the patient when it is time to stop brushing comes built in with most electric toothbrushes. Children and adults who use a manual toothbrush often times use it for just a few seconds and think that the full two minutes has passed. A timer helps patients brush for the full recommended times. For those who have limited dexterity or arthritis, and for those who do not brush long enough or brush incorrectly, electric toothbrushes make it much easier because they remove stains and plaque better than a manual.
 

WATERPIK®

Purpose:

The Waterpik is a supplement to tooth brushing and helps break up bacteria and food particles that collect on your teeth beneath the gum tissue and in between each tooth.  It is not a substitution for brushing or flossing.

General Information:

The Waterpik is to be used at least two times a day.  Use it before you brush after breakfast, and prior to brushing after dinner.  Using your Waterpik every time you eat is ideal, but we realize that during school or work it may not be practical.  We repeat:  The Waterpick DOES NOT take the place of your toothbrush and dental floss.  You must use all three items in order to keep your teeth and gum tissue healthy during orthodontic treatment.

When you first begin using the Waterpick begin on the lowest pressure and slowly work up to full pressure.  Hold the tip of the Waterpick at a 90-degree angle to your tooth aiming the stream of water between each tooth.  Be sure the tip of the Waterpik is touching/contacting the tooth surface.  DO NOT shoot the water directly down to the socket of the root.  Hold the tip in between your teeth at the gum line for the count of four and then continue on tooth to tooth.  Begin on the upper right; work around to the upper left, down to the lower left and around to the lower right.  Follow the same steps for the inside of each tooth.

Use warm water and only a drop or two of mouthwash if you choose.  DO NOT use straight mouthwash or baking soda; as these can clog up the internal parts of your Waterpik.  If not done daily, the food particles will form plaque, which cannot be removed by the Waterpik.

The most inexpensive place to purchase your Waterpik is our Front Desk. 

WHAT CAN HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF POOR ORAL HYGIENE WHEN YOU HAVE BRACES?

Bad hygiene with braces like improper brushing and flossing can cause serious detrimental effects on teeth as a result of an accumulation of food particles within the teeth and braces. The various effects of bad hygiene with braces include;

  • Gum infection
  • Bad breath
  • Plaque formation
  • Lose of teeth minerals
  • Increased teeth sensitivity 
  • Teeth staining