The
best way to ensure a clean and healthy smile are brushing
and flossing. Food particles can accumulate on teeth and
in braces, and over time turn into plaque. The bacteria
that results from this accumulation can lead to gum disease,
tooth decay, and even loss of teeth. To avoid these problems
while you are in orthodontic treatment, take special care
of your braces, teeth, and gums to ensure you will have
the best possible result.
BRUSHING
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small strip of
fluoride toothpaste. When you brush your teeth, move the
brush in small, circular motions to reach food particles
that may be under your gum line. Hold the toothbrush at
an angle and brush slowly and carefully, covering all areas
between teeth, between braces, and the surface of each tooth.
It will take you several minutes to thoroughly brush your
teeth. Brush up on the lower teeth, down on the upper teeth,
and the outside, inside, and chewing surface of your front
and back teeth. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth
before you rinse.
Especially during orthodontic treatment, brush your teeth
four times daily to avoid the accumulation of food particles
in your teeth and braces:
- In the morning after breakfast
- After lunch or right after school
- After supper
- At bedtime
You will need to replace your toothbrush more often due
to your appliances. As soon as the bristles start to wear
down or fray, replace your toothbrush with a new one. It
may be difficult for your toothbrush to reach some areas
under your archwire. Do not swallow any toothpaste; rinse
your mouth thoroughly with water after you finish brushing.
It is important to floss and use an antibacterial mouthwash
and fluoride treatment throughout your orthodontic treatment
and beyond for optimal oral hygiene.
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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.
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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.
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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).
FLOSSING
 For
areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach,
use dental floss to remove food particles and plaque. Flossing
takes more time and patience when you are wearing braces,
but it is important to floss your teeth every day.
Use the reuseable floss threader provided by our office
to floss under your archwire daily. Pull a small length
of floss from the dispenser through the threader and slide
it up and down along the front of each tooth. You will be
able to feel when the tooth is clean and hear the squeak
of the floss against your clean teeth. Use care around your
archwire and do not floss too forcefully around it or put
too much pressure on it. After you floss between your archwire
and braces, floss between your other teeth and gums.
 If
you are flossing without the floss threader, pull a small
length of floss from the dispenser. Wrap the ends of the
floss tightly around your middle fingers. Guide the floss
between all teeth to the gum line, pulling out food particles
or plaque. Unwrap clean floss from around your fingers as
you go, so that you have used the floss from beginning to
end when you finish. Floss behind all of your back teeth.
Floss at night to make sure your teeth are clean before
you go to bed. When you first begin flossing around your
braces, your gums may bleed a little. If the bleeding does
not go away after the first few times, inform a staff member
at your next appointment.
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