Oral Hygiene & Dieting/ Eating Habits
Interdental Toothbrush
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.
Antibacterial Mouthwash
Peroxyl, a hydrogen peroxide antiseptic mouth rinse, will reduce inflammation to your gums and cheeks. Peroxyl helps to prevent infection and decrease irritation that may develop from your braces. 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. Peroxyl can be used for general irritation caused by your braces, or for canker sores, cheek bites, and other minor temporary injuries to the gums.
Fluoride Rinse
Pro-Dentx is a flouride rinse that 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 Pro-Dentx does not replace daily brushing and flossing, but should be done following your daily schedule at bedtime. Swish approximately 2 tsps of Pro-Dentx fluoride rinse in your mouth for one minute and spit it out. You may not eat or drink for 30 minutes after you use Pro-Dentx. It is important for the active ingredient to stay on your teeth for 30 minutes, so do not wash it away by eating or drinking. Pro-Dentx comes in four flavors: Bubble Gum, Grape, Cool Mint and Cherry.
Perio-Med
Daily use of PerioMed, along with the treatment provided by your Dental professional, will help reduce gum inflammation, control bleeding gums, help reduce sensitivity, aid in remineralization, and provide protection from tooth decay.
Cleaning Your Removable Appliance
Brush your removable appliance every day as a part of your regular brushing and flossing schedule. Because food particles and plaque can accumulate on your appliance just as they do on your teeth, brush appliance daily. You can periodically soak your appliance in a minty mouthwash. But do not use any kind of denture cleansers.
Diet and Eating Habits
Stay away from hard foods like:
- Popcorn
- Ice (chewing)
- Nuts
- Pizza crust
- Peanut brittle
- Pretzels
- Chips (Doritos)
- Hard candy
- Corn on the cob
Hard foods may do damage by bending wires, loosening cement under the brackets and bands or breaking the brackets and tubes which have been attached.
Avoid sticky foods like:
- Taffy
- Licorice
- Candy or caramel apples
- Caramel
- Gum
- Skittles
- Fruit Roll-Ups
- Toffee
- Starbursts
- Gummy candy
- Candy bars
Brush/rinse immediately after sweets like:
- Candy
- Ice cream
- Soda pop
- Cupcakes
- Shakes and malts
- Cookies
- Cake and pie
- Presweetened cereals
High-sugar foods increase the likelihood of plaque build-up. If you do eat them, brush your teeth immediately afterwards. If you cannot brush right away, always rinse your mouth with clear water after eating sweet food.
Eat with care:
- Carrot Sticks – Cut into thin sticks.
- Apples – Slice and peel into small wedges; don't bite into apple.
- Hard bread – (French, bagels) – Break up into small pieces and chew carefully.
- Pizza – Take small bites; avoid eating the crust.
- Meats – Cut into small bites and chew carefully.
- Crackers and chips – Take small pieces and chew carefully.
- Peanut butter – Smooth only; never eat “chunky” style.
Foods to increase Calcium and Vitamin C:
- Milk
- Apple juice
- Yogurt
- Grapefruit
- Cheese
- Broccoli
- Orange juice
- Melons
Calcium and Vitamin C are very important for healing bone and collagen that are affected by the movement of your teeth. Consuming adequate amounts of these nutrients daily will also help maintain healthy gums.
