Living with braces
Keeping your teeth clean
Top tips for oral hygiene
Interdental toothbrush: An interdental (between the teeth) toothbrush that you may use to clean underneath and around your wires and braces. Use the interdental brush gently to avoid damaging your wires. The interdental brush will help you to clean your braces while maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Antibacterial mouthwash: A hydrogen peroxide antiseptic mouth rinse will reduce inflammation to your gums and cheeks. It helps to prevent infection and decrease irritation that may develop from your braces. Rinse your mouth with two teaspoons of it (half a capful) for one minute and then spit it out. You may use it 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, it helps the inside of your mouth heal. It can be used for general irritation caused by your braces or for canker sores, cheek bites and other minor temporary injuries to the gums.
Topical fluoride: 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 schedule at bedtime. Place a small strip of it on a toothbrush and apply it to your teeth for one minute and spit it out. It is important for the active ingredient in it to stay on your teeth for 30 minutes, so do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after use otherwise it will wash away.
Cleaning your removable appliance: Brush your removable appliance every day as part of your regular brushing and flossing schedule. Food particles and plaque can accumulate on your appliance just as they do on your teeth, so it's important to soak the appliance daily. Dissolve a denture-cleaning tablet in a glass of tap water at room temperature and soak your appliance once every day. Your appliance will taste better, and you will prevent plaque and bacterial accumulation.
Clean teeth for best results
Having orthodontic treatment shouldn't stop you from keeping up your oral hygiene routine. In fact, it is more important than ever that you ensure you have an established brushing and flossing routine. The cleaner your teeth the better your orthodontic results will be, as healthy teeth reduce your risk of cavities and plaque build up. Healthy teeth = beautiful smiles.
Emergency brace care
What to Do in Case of Emergency
Call our office as soon as possible if you break or loosen any of your appliances. Please do not come directly to the office – by calling us, you will allow us to create a time to see you. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us if you need an appliance repaired.
Loose Brackets or Bands: Call our office immediately for advice if a bracket or wire is loosened. The bracket may need to be re-fitted as soon as possible. You may have a situation that requires cutting a wire or sliding a bracket off a wire at night or over the weekend. If you need to cut a wire in case of emergency, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. Please call our office the next business day, so that we may schedule an appointment for you.
Wire Irritations: Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment.
Lost Separators: Most patients lose a separator during their treatment. Do not worry about losing a separator, but call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.
Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment: During the first week after your braces are in place and routine adjustments are complete, you will likely feel some pain, soreness or discomfort. You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. A warm wash cloth or heating pad may reduce the soreness in your jaws.
Start your treatment today
Start on your journey to straighter teeth and a beautiful smile. Book your consultation with our team at Cockburn and Fremantle Orthodontics / Endodontics today.
