Oral Hygiene and Dental Care

Brush and floss for miles of smiles. That's our motto. You might say that Dr.Catherine Oden Fulton is a fanatic about oral hygiene, but not without a reason. Good hygiene plays a very important role in the successful outcome of your orthodontic treatment.

Straight, white attractive teeth (SWAT) ... that's our mission. Please take a minute to enjoy one of the two informative presentations about good oral hygiene practices and the importance of patient cooperation during orthodontic treatment.

Braces protect the enamel underneath them. However, braces also trap food. There's no way around that. Trapped food contributes to the formation of plaque (a sticky mixtures of bacteria, debris and food particles) on your teeth. If you don't remove plaque from around your braces, you are inviting the development of gum disease, dental decay and bad breath.

Removing plaque is a daily chore, but an important one. You want your teeth to be healthy and strong and to look good when your braces are removed. Here are some tips for making sure that happens:

Brushing

Use a soft-bristle toothbrush. Soft bristles are better than medium or hard bristles at getting into the spaces around your braces and they don't irritate your gums. Some companies make toothbrushes especially for people with braces that have longer bristles on the edges and shorter ones in the middle, but many regular toothbrushes have the same design.

An electric toothbrush is okay to use. Just be careful not to hit the plastic back of the brush against the brackets on your braces because it can damage them. Also, an electric toothbrush should be used on a moderate setting, which is less likely to break or loosen appliances.

You should brush at least three times a day after meals to make sure there's no food trapped in or around your braces. Brush slowly and carefully for at least two to three minutes each time. Be sure to brush all of the surfaces of the teeth — the inside and outside surfaces and the chewing surfaces. Pay special attention to the areas between your brackets and your gums.

Brushing or scraping your tongue can help to eliminate halitosis (bad breath).

Failing to brush and floss regularly can lead to gingivitis, inflammation of the gums, and decalcification, the loss of calcium from the teeth caused by the excessive build up of plaque on the tooth enamel.

Gingivitis

Decalcification

Toothpaste

The brand of toothpaste you use doesn’t really matter. Just make sure it has the ADA seal of approval and it contains fluoride. Over-the-counter fluoride rinses can help protect and strengthen teeth during orthodontic treatment. However, if you have a history of cavities or are otherwise at risk for decay, Dr. Fulton may prescribe a fluoride rinse with a different concentration.

Do not use tooth-whitening toothpaste while you are wearing braces. The brackets actually protect the tooth enamel and prevent the whitener from whitening those areas covered by the brackets.

Flossing

At least once a day, you should floss your teeth and braces. It might seem like you can't possibly floss while you have braces, but you can and you should. Special flossing products can help you get into the space between the wires and your gum line. These include floss threaders and a special kind of floss. When Dr. Fulton first places your braces, a member of her team will review flossing techniques. If you're not sure you're doing it right, ask Dr. Fulton during your next visit.

Other Tools

Rubber-tipped and end-tuft or single-tuft brushes — These are special brushes that help you to get into those nooks and crannies, as well as between your teeth. The end-tuft or single-tuft brushes look something like pipe cleaners.

Oral irrigators — These instruments project small streams of water onto your teeth at high pressure to remove food particles. They can be used as an aid in your oral hygiene practice, but they should not take the place of brushing and flossing. Use a moderate setting so the irrigator does not damage your braces.

Antibacterial rinses — These rinses are fine for adults, but their high alcohol content makes them off-limits for kids. Alcohol-free rinses are available for children to use. Before buying an antibacterial rinse for your child to use, ask Dr. Fulton which rinses she recommends. Normally, she recommends Listerine Cool Mint mouthwash.

Disclosing solutions or tablets — Your dentist may have used these during an office visit to see where you tend to miss spots after brushing. Disclosing tablets and solutions use vegetable dye to highlight plaque or debris in your mouth. You can find them in a drugstore or get some from your dentist and use them at home.

Dental Care

Dr. Fulton believes your orthodontic treatment is a team effort that includes your family dentist and possibly other dental specialist. That's why it is very important to get regular dental check-ups while you are wearing braces. Your dentist can keep Dr. Fulton informed about your overall oral hygiene and alert her to any potential problems.

Likewise, Dr. Fulton communicates with your dentist about any concerns she may have about your dental health. Working together, Dr. Fulton and your family dentist can make sure that all of your dental needs are being addressed.