At Barkate Orthodontics, we strive to provide you with the most beautiful and healthy smile possible. An extremely important part of this wonderful process is good oral hygiene, and you are the most valuable player in this area. We have listed a few tips and products that will help you maintain a healthy smile during active orthodontic treatment that will benefit you long after your braces come off.
1. Brush at least three times a day and floss daily.
2. Visit your general dentist three times a year for cleanings and cavity checks during active orthodontic treatment, then back to twice a year after active treatment (or as your general dentist advises).
3. If regular brushing, flossing and visits to your dentist are not enough to maintain good oral hygiene, we have a few recommendations that may help.
Mechanical toothbrushes
Oral-B Braun
Sonicare
Rota-dent (available only through your dentist)
Toothpaste
Colgate Total
Mouth rinse for swollen gums
Listerine Tartar Control (don't swallow - has 21.6% alcohol)
Biotene (non-alcohol)
Extra anti-cavity protection rinses
ACT anti-cavity fluoride rinse (for children under 12)
Colgate Fluorigard anti-cavity fluoride rinse (ages 12 and up)
Floss and between teeth brushes
Oral-B super floss
GUM proxibrush
Waterpik electric flosser
Mouth sores
Zilaction-B long acting mouth sore gel
Oral-B Orabase mouth sore gel
Glyoxide liquid (soothes tissue around appliances)
Except the Rota-dent toothbrush, all of these products are over-the-counter items and can be found in the dental aisle of most all larger drug stores or supermarkets.
Mechanical toothbrushes are priced well as stores such as Target and can be found sometimes at Costco.
Brushing and Flossing with Braces
Flossing
Insert floss behind archwire. Gently clean sides of teeth and under gums with an up-and-down motion. Floss between all teeth once a day.
Brushing
Brush four times a day; morning, noon, dinner, bedtime.
Brush under, above, behind and around ALL surfaces of the teeth AND braces.
Brush inside and outside of both top and bottom gums.
Rinse mouth thoroughly after brushing.
USE A SOFT TOOTHBRUSH!! BRUSH SLOWLY!! TAKE YOUR TIME!!
SEE YOUR GENERAL DENTIST REGULARLY WHILE YOU WEAR BRACES!
Orthodontic Diet Chart
Foods that cannot be cleaned off the braces may lead to discoloration or decay of your teeth. Even though your braces and wires are metal, they are fragile and are usually damaged by eating the wrong foods, thus taking us longer to finish your treatment.
ABSOLUTELY NO…
Gum
Sugarless or otherwise
Sticky Foods
Caramels
Caramel apples
Toffee
Licorice
Gummy bears
Now and Laters®
Starbursts®
Sugar Daddies®
Sugar Babies®
Tootsie Rolls®
Hard Foods
Apples or carrots (unless cooked or cut into small pieces)
