BRUSHING AND FLOSSING
Food particles and plaque naturally accumulate on the teeth
and on braces. This process could lead to tooth decay and/or gum disease.
Proper oral hygiene is vital to prevent these problems from occurring
during your orthodontic treatment. The extra effort you give to keep your
teeth, braces and gums clean and healthy will result in a much better
orthodontic outcome.
BRUSHING
Dr. Hentosz recommend that you use a soft bristled
toothbrush with moderate force and a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
Place the toothbrush at an angle so that you feel the bristles
under your gum line and use small circular motions. Completely
clean each surface of every tooth in your mouth, including the areas
above, below and between each brace. Each surface of every tooth
should be scrubbed with 10 strokes of the toothbrush. This should
take 2-3 minutes.
Dr. Hentosz recommend that you brush at least
4 times per day: after breakfast, after lunch (or as soon as
you get home from school), after supper and at bedtime. Your
toothbrush will wear out faster because of your appliances, so be
sure to replace it whenever the bristles start to fray. Back to Top
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.
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.
3. Brush every tooth slowly. Brush the upper teeth
down.
4. Brush the lower teeth up. Also brush your tongue
and the roof of your mouth
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)! Back to Top
FLOSSING
Dental floss is a nylon thread that is used to remove food
particles and plaque from between the teeth. Flossing is more difficult
when you have braces on your teeth. A floss threader may be needed to
get the floss under the archwire. Dr. Hentosz will provide these for you
(note: floss threaders are reusable). Use a piece of floss about 12 inches
long. Use the floss threader to get the floss under the wire. Slide the
floss up and down along the tooth surface. When the tooth is clean the
floss will "squeak" as you slide it up and down along the tooth
surface. Be very careful to not pull with too much force on your archwire.
Daily flossing is essential to your dental health. Often neglected, flossing helps improve the overall health of your teeth and gums. Flossing assists in cleaning many of the "hard to reach" spots in your mouth, spots that regular brushing generally misses. By flossing, you alleviate much of the plaque buildup that often causes gum disease.
Although flossing is more difficult with braces, it is critical to your orthodontic treatment. Always floss at least twice a day: once after lunch, and once before bedtime. Proper flossing reduces the risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay.
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1. Carefully pull waxed floss between wire and
braces.
2. Floss carefully around the gum area.
INTERDENTAL
TOOTHBRUSH
An interdental toothbrush (Proxabrush) is another aid you
may find useful to keep your teeth, braces and gums clean and healthy.
It can be used to clean under orthodontic wires and around braces. Use
this device slowly so you do not damage your braces. Back to Top
ANTISEPTIC
MOUTH RINSE (PEROXYL)
Peroxyl is an antiseptic dental rinse (active ingredient:
hydrogen peroxide 1.5%) used in orthodontics to control minor gum
inflammation and irritations from orthodontic appliances. It is
also used to cleanse canker sores and minor wounds or other irritations
of the mouth and gums such as mouth burns, cheek bites and toothbrush
abrasions. Its oxygenating action removes debris allowing natural
healing to occur.
Dr. Hentosz recommend that you rinse with half a
capful (two (2) teaspoons) around in the mouth for at least one
(1) minute, then spit out. Use up to four (4) times daily after
meals and at bedtime while wearing orthodontic appliances. Back to Top
TOPICAL FLUORIDE (PHOS-FLUR)
Phos-Flur is a topical fluoride gel (active ingredient:
1.1% sodium fluoride) used in orthodontics as a dental caries preventive.
It is not a substitute for tooth paste. Its action is twofold: to
re-mineralize tooth enamel which has been exposed to bacterial acids
and to act as an antibacterial agent.
Dr. Hentosz recommend that you apply a thin ribbon
of Phos-Flur Gel to the teeth with a toothbrush for at least one
(1) minute at bedtime, then spit out. Drinking and eating are not
recommended for thirty (30) minutes after using Phos-Flur, since
doing so will dilute or rinse away the active ingredient. Back to Top
CLEANING
A REMOVABLE APPLIANCE
All orthodontic appliances tend to accumulate food
particles and plaque just like teeth do. Every time you brush your
teeth, brush your removable appliance. Once a day you should soak
your appliance in a glass of room temperature tap water with a denture-cleaning
tablet, such as Polident or Efferdent. This will help prevent plaque
buildup and oral infections and will keep your appliance tasting
better. Back to Top
