Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is extra important during treatment. Without it, food debris can become entrapped under the arch wires and around the braces and lead to cavities, gum disease and permanent scarring of the enamel. Proper oral hygiene consists of:

• Brushing – You should brush your teeth carefully after each time you eat and before bed
• Flossing – Be sure to floss daily (a floss threader makes it easier to floss under your braces)
• Rinsing – Can help minor gum irritations while reducing the level of bacteria in the mouth
• Oral Irrigators – Can help to dislodge food debris from around the teeth
• Interdental/Proxabrush – Can be used for added cleaning under orthodontic wires and around braces
• Fluoride Rinse – We supply you with your first bottle to keep your teeth strong.
• Incentive Program – We grade your brushing at every appointment: Good, Fair, and Poor. After receiving eight consecutive ‘good’ grades in a row, you will win a gift certificate.

It is important to note that braces don't cause dental problems – they just make it more difficult to clean the teeth.