The best way to ensure a clean and healthy smile is 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.
Wax & Orthodontic Silicone:
You have been given orthodontic wax. Often times, in the very beginning of treatment it will take some time for the inside of your lips and cheeks to get used to the braces and wires. A small amount of wax (the size of a pea) will stick to any area that feels sharp and it will cushion the area until your mouth “toughens up”. If you should ever run low on wax, give the office a call and we will mail you some. It is best to store wax in the refrigerator, so it will not melt and you will always know where it is. Children should carry some in their book bags to school with them.
In addition to wax you have the choice of using silicone to cushion a sharp area to protect your lips or cheeks. The silicone works nicely because it does not melt when exposed to warm beverages. One small piece can stay on all day. Some patients prefer the wax, while others find the silicone to help adjust to the braces and wires. Here at Family Orthodontic Care, we provide you with both to keep you as comfortable as possible.
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.
During orthodontic treatment developing cavities is a greater risk. There are more nooks & crannies for bacteria to hide.
Our doctors are recommending that all of our patients use the special prescription toothpaste, Clinpro 500 Anti-Cavity Toothpaste during the orthodontic treatment to prevent cavities from forming around the braces.
It should be used once a day, at bedtime in place of your regular toothpaste.
- Wet toothbrush
- Apply a pea-sized amount to brush
- Brush as normal, paying close attention to the area of the tooth closest to the gum-line (at least 2 minutes)
- After brushing, adults should spit only, do not rinse. For patients 6 to 16: brush, spit, and rinse.
- Do not swallow
- Prescription only
Flossing
The floss we give you is called “super floss” or “3 in 1 floss.” We give you a sample package to start off with and then you can buy it at the pharmacy or grocery store. It can be found with the regular floss. This floss is especially designed for braces. It has a floss threader at one end, spongy material in the middle, and at the end is your regular floss. The floss threader is designed to get under the wire. The spongy part in the middle allows you to clean around the bracket on either side and then you come to the floss at the end to floss how you normally would.
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 reusable 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.
