The most important factor in keeping your teeth and gums healthy during orthodontic treatment is brushing and flossing. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that you brush and floss your teeth after every meal and before bed. It is important to keep the teeth clean because plaque and food can get caught in the braces and cavities will form.
Brushing and Flossing
The proper usage of a typical soft bristled brush and floss threaders should be sufficient to keep the teeth and gums healthy during orthodontic treatment. There are, however, several “tools” that can help patients be more successful with keeping the teeth clean with orthodontic appliances. A power toothbrush can be especially useful when the gum tissue is swollen or when patients are not diligent enough with manual brushing.
Interdental Toothbrush
A Proxabrush is an interdental (between the teeth) toothbrush that you may use to clean underneath and around your wires and braces. Use the Proxabrush gently to avoid damaging your wires. The Proxabrush will help you to clean your braces while maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
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. It is available as a rinse in our office or may be purchased at the store in several flavors. 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.