Oral Hygiene

Oral Hygiene Recommendations

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Brushing With Braces

Keeping your teeth clean is always important, and this is especially true when wearing braces. Remember to brush gently, but be sure to reach in between teeth and braces, and behind the wires. This short video shows a great example of brushing with braces.

Interdental Toothbrush

A Proxabrush is an interdental – between the teeth – toothbrush that you may use to clean underneath and around your wires and braces. Be careful to use the Proxabrush gently to avoid damaging your wires. The Proxabrush will help you to clean your braces and maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Antibacterial Mouthwash

Peroxyl, a hydrogen peroxide antiseptic mouth rinse, will reduce inflammation to your gums and cheeks. Peroxyl helps to prevent infection and decrease irritation that may develop from your braces. Rinse your mouth with two teaspoons of Peroxyl (half a capful) for one minute and then spit it out. You may use Peroxyl up to four times daily following your schedule for brushing: after meals (or after school) and before bed. Just like using peroxide for a scrape on your skin, Peroxyl helps the inside of your mouth heal. Peroxyl can be used for general irritation caused by your braces or for canker sores, cheek bites and other minor temporary injuries to the gums.

Flossing With Braces

Flossing is another important practice of teeth cleaning that is just as important – if not more important – while wearing braces.

Topical Fluoride

Phos-Flur is a sodium fluoride gel that helps prevent tooth decay while you are wearing braces by killing bacteria and replacing minerals in tooth enamel that have been exposed to harmful acids. The use of Phos-Flur does not replace daily brushing and flossing, but should be done following your daily schedule at bedtime. Place a small strip of Phos-Flur on a toothbrush and apply it to your teeth for one minute and spit it out. You may not eat or drink for 30 minutes after you use Phos-Flur. It is important for the active ingredient to stay on your teeth for 30 minutes, so do not wash it away by eating or drinking.

Cleaning Your Removable Appliance

Brush your removable appliance every day as a part of your regular brushing and flossing schedule. Because food particles and plaque can accumulate on your appliance just as they do on your teeth, soak the appliance daily. Dissolve a Polident, Efferdent or other denture-cleaning tablet in a glass of tap water at room temperature and soak your appliance once every day. Your appliance will taste better, and you will prevent plaque and bacterial accumulation.

Foods to Avoid While Wearing Braces

Keeping your teeth and braces clean can have a lot to do with what you eat. Choosing the right foods can also help prevent your braces from disconnecting or breaking. This video will give you a good foundation to know what foods you should avoid during treatment.

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