When you start with your treatment, we will give you detailed instructions about caring for your teeth and braces. We ask that you check your braces in the mirror every day. If they are shiny, they are clean – and so are your teeth. If our braces are dull, it means they and your teeth are covered with dental plaque. More brushing on a regular schedule is essential. Remember:

SHINY BRACES = CLEAN TEETH AND HEALTHY GUMS!

We encourage you to let us know at every visit how you are doing with your brushing so we can help you with any problem areas.

Tooth Brushes

Regular toothbrushes, if used on a regular daily schedule, work fine to clean your teeth and braces. In some cases a mechanical or ultrasound (Sonicare) brush will make cleaning easier and more thorough. Some patients find an oral irrigating device (Waterpik) is helpful in removing large food particles from around the 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. Use the Proxabrush gently to avoid damaging your wires. The Proxabrush will help you to clean your braces while maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Antibacterial Mouthwash

Peroxyl, is a hydrogen peroxide antiseptic mouth rinse that is available at most pharmacies. Its use 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.

Topical Fluoride

Topical flouride is applied periodically by your dentist to help prevent tooth decay. In some cases we supplement that with PerioMed, a prescription sodium fluoride rinse that is particularly effective for preventing decay and gum tissue irritation while braces are being worn. It works by killing bacteria and replacing minerals in tooth surface enamel that has been exposed to harmful acids. The use of PerioMed does not replace daily brushing and flossing but should be used after your bedtime brushing.

Cleaning Your Removable Appliances

Brush your removable appliance (headgear, retainer, bionator, twin-block, etc.) 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.

For most situations, common sense will tell you what to avoid. Hard foods, sticky foods and foods high in sugar must be avoided. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Minimize sugary foods; they cause tooth decay and related problems. Nail biting, pencil and pen chewing and chewing on foreign objects should be avoided.

Foods to Avoid

Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid:

• Gum (sugar-free or regular)
• Licorice
• Sugar Daddies
• Toffee
• Tootsie Rolls
• Caramels
• Starburst

Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:

• Ice
• Nuts
• Hard taco shells
• French bread crust/rolls
• Corn on the cob
• Apples and raw carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
• Bagels
• Chips
• Jolly Ranchers
• Pizza crust

Sugary Foods and Drinks to Minimize or Avoid:

• Cake
• Ice Cream
• Cookies
• Pie
• Candy
• Soda
• Sweetened tea
• Gatorade
• Kool-Aid
• Drinks with sugar

It’s important to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, call our office immediately to arrange an appointment for repair.