Oral Hygiene

Try this routine each night (and during the day if you can:)

• Rinse your mouth, swish and spit to get excess food that can be easily dislodged.
• Use your toothbrush and toothpaste and hold it at an angle, brush gently around the brackets and bands with a circular motion; rinse, swish and spit.
• Use the floss threader and floss gently around each tooth; rinse, swish and spit.
• Take the interproximal brush and clean between the brackets. Again, be gentle, not rough or abrasive! Follow this step again by rinsing, swishing and spitting.
• Using your toothbrush again, brush the fronts and backs of all your teeth, then your gums, tongue and the roof of your mouth.
• If you have a fixed retainer or expander, be sure it gets a good brushing too!
• You may finish with mouthwash if desired : ask us for our recommendation!
• NEVER go to bed without brushing and flossing thoroughly!

Sometimes your teeth may feel sore after an adjustment or maybe you have a place that is uncomfortable while your mouth adjusts to the braces. Please do not avoid brushing and flossing! The best thing you can do to alleviate soreness is to swish warm salt water in your mouth and gently brush your teeth and gums. The stimulation of brushing will increase blood flow and promote healing. The worst thing you can do is NOT to brush when your teeth are sore!

Today’s brackets are smaller, stronger and much easier to keep clean. If you have ceramic brackets, the ligatures will discolor when you eat dark or tomato-based foods. There is no way to get them clean; simply limit those foods and have your ligatures replaced.