Oral Health Tools
ORAL HYGIENE
Brushing
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Use a soft bristle toothbrush and a small strip of fluoride toothpaste. When you brush your teeth, hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and brush in small, circular motions to reach food particles that may be around and under your gum line and around your braces. (the most frequently missed areas are above the braces on top and below the braces on the bottom). Brush for two minutes every time you brush. During orthodontic treatment, you should brush your teeth at least three times daily (morning, lunch, and before bedtime) to avoid the accumulation of food particles and plaque on your teeth and braces. You will need to replace your toothbrush every 3 months per ADA recommendations.
Flossing
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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. For your convenience, we include a special Platypus flossing tool (platypusco.com) to make flossing easier and quicker. If the tool does not work for you, you can use floss threaders or pre-threaded floss.
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. Once the teeth and tissues are clean and healthy, the bleeding will stop.
Interdental Brush
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
Antiseptic Rinse
Peroxyl, a hydrogen peroxide antiseptic mouth rinse, will reduce inflammation related to ulcers caused by braces. Peroxyl helps to prevent infection and decrease irritation that may develop from your braces or minor injuries to the gums. 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.
Flouride Mouthrinse
Act Fluoride Rinse is a mouth rinse that is to be used along with a fluoride toothpaste. Act Fluoride Rinse helps prevent "white spots" on teeth caused by poor oral hygiene. The use of Act Fluoride Rinse alone does not replace brushing. Rinsing with Act Fluoride should be done following your morning brushing and your bedtime brushing. After you brush, rinse for 1 minute and spit it out. It’s that easy! It is important that you do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after you rinse to give the fluoride time to begin working. This is done twice a day to give your teeth 24 hour coverage.