Office Hours:
Mon - Fri 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sat 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
10830 NW 58th Street,Doral, Fl. 33178 (Sedano's Shopping Plaza)
786-845-0800
14660 SW 26th Street, Miami, Fl. 33175 (Publix Shopping Plaza)
305-223-0110
Creating Beautiful Smiles
in a Caring & Friendly Environment
Oral Hygiene
Now that you have your braces in places, it is as important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen throughout the length of your treatment as it was before.
Braces, wires bands and retainers can all trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or floss away plaque.
Careful brushing and flossing, preferably after every meal and snack, is the best way to prevent plaque build-up, tooth decay and gum disease.
Manual vs. Electric Toothbrushes
The research shows that both types of brushes do a very effective job at keeping your teeth and supporting gum tissues healthy provided if they are used properly.
As far as our office is concerned it is far less important as to what type of brush you use and far more important that you use it often and properly. Let us show you how.
Interdental Toothbrush
A Proxibrush is an interdental (between the teeth) cone shaped toothbrush that you may use to clean underneath and around your wires and braces.
Use the Proxibrush gently to avoid damaging your wires. The Proxibrush is designed to help you to not only clean your braces but also to help maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Antibacterial Mouthwash
Peroxyl is a hydrogen peroxide antiseptic mouth rinse designed to reduce any inflammation you may encounter. Peroxyl helps to prevent infection and decrease irritation that may develop from your braces.
Rinse the inside of your mouth with two teaspoons of Peroxyl (half a capfull) for one minute and then spit it out. You may use Peroxyl up to four times daily after brushing: after each meal 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.
Topical Fluoride
Phos-Flur is a sodium fluoride gel that helps prevent tooth decay while you are wearing braces by killing the harmful bacteria that cause decay and by replacing minerals in tooth enamel that have been exposed to harmful acids found in the mouth.
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 Phos-Flur on a toothbrush and apply it to your teeth for one minute and spit it out.
DO NOT eat or drink for 30 minutes after you use Phos-Flur as the active ingredient has to stay on your teeth for 30 minutes to be effective.
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, soak the appliance daily.
Dissolve a Polident, Efferdent or other denture-cleaning tablet in a glass of tap water at room temperature and soak your removable appliance once every day. Your appliance will not only taste better, but you will prevent plaque and bacterial accumulation.
Steps to Healthy Brushing
1) Start with the outside of the teeth, with the brush at a straight angle. Use circular vibrating motions.
2) Clean the area between the gums and braces by angling the brush down (up for the lower jaw). Keep moving in a small circular motion.
3) Clean the rest of the outside of the teeth by angling the brush (down for the lower jaw).
4) Carefully brush the chewing surface of both the upper and lower jaw.
5) Finish by brushing the inside of the teeth.