Dental Care

You should continue your routine checkups with your family dentist while receiving orthodontic care. Your dentist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces.

Oral Hygiene

Patients with braces should brush their teeth at least four times each day. You should do so after each meal and before going to bed each night. We will show each patient proper flossing techniques with braces.

Removable Appliances

Brush your removable appliance every day as 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, you should soak your appliance daily. Dissolve a denture cleaning tablet such as Polident or Efferdent in a glass of tap water at room temperature and soak your appliance. This will help it to taste better and prevent plaque and bacterial accumulation.

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 a day following your tooth brushing. Just like using peroxide for a scrape on your skin, Peroxyl helps the inside of your mouth heal. You may use it for general irritation caused by your braces or for canker sores, cheek bites and other minor temporary injuries to the 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 bedtime tooth brushing. 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.