Oral Hygiene

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Oral Hygiene


Orthodontic Excellence in Weatherford & Granbury

At Epic Orthodontics, our mission is to help every one of our patients achieve a smile they can feel confident showing off in any situation. We're proud to offer a wide range of high-quality orthodontic treatments, and Dr. Hall and our team of highly trained orthodontic specialists work hard to design personalized treatment plans that perfectly suit each patient's unique orthodontic needs. But orthodontic treatment isn't just about the care we provide in the office – equally important is how you care for your teeth at home, and it all starts with a diligent oral hygiene regimen.

The Importance of Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is critical to maintaining healthy teeth, and that's doubly true when wearing braces. The brackets, wires, and retainers of orthodontic treatment can easily trap food particles against the teeth, setting the stage for bacteria, plaque, and tooth decay. The only way to prevent these issues is through a regular, consistent regimen of brushing, flossing, and other oral hygiene practices. This is the best way to prevent tooth decay and safeguard the health of your smile.

Brushing with Braces

Brushing is critically important during orthodontic treatment!  Brushing with braces is not complicated, you just have to spend the time to do it.  The best times to brush are:

  • Once after breakfastbrush3.png
  • Once after lunch
  • Once after dinner
  • Once before bed 

 

Flossing while Wearing Braces

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In addition to brushing 4 times daily, you'll need to floss at least once a day (preferably at night, right before bed). To do this, you'll have to use a floss threader, which is a reusable, loop-shaped device with one long,  pointed end. 


To use the threader, simply take a section of floss and thread it through the "eye" of the loop. Run the long end of the loop underneath the archwire of your braces, then pull it through until the floss is threaded underneath the archwire. From here, you can floss normally. Simply repeat this process for every gap between the teeth, and you're done!

Rinsing with an Antibacterial Mouthwash

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A hydrogen peroxide-based antiseptic mouth rinse is a great supplement to brushing and flossing. In addition to

fighting bacteria and plaque, these rinses can also calm irritation of your gums if present. To use it, simply swish

two teaspoons of the rinse around in your mouth for 60 seconds, then spit it out. You can rinse up to four times a day, preferably after brushing your teeth.

 

Interdental Toothbrush

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An interdental toothbrush is another helpful tool in caring for your teeth during treatment. This is a small, christmas-tree shaped brush that's designed to get underneath the archwire and behind brackets, and it's easy to carry around with you. You can use it to gently dislodge food that gets trapped in your braces.

 

Topical Fluoride

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Depending on your unique situation, your general dentist may recommend the use of a topical fluoride supplement to help safeguard your teeth from decay. This gel kills bacteria and plaque on your teeth while also replacing critical minerals that keep your teeth healthy and strong. To use the gel, simply place a small strip on your toothbrush and use the brush to apply the gel to every surface of your teeth. After applying, spit out the excess gel, but avoid brushing, eating, or drinking for 30 more minutes – this gives time for the active ingredient to sink into the teeth.

 

Cleaning Your Retainer or Invisalign Aligner

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If you're using a retainer or removable appliance, it's important to keep the appliance clean.  To clean your wire retainer (Hawley), you should remove it from your mouth and brush it with a toothbrush and toothpaste each time you brush your teeth.  you will likely only be wearing a wire retainer when you sleep, so brushing it in the morning and putting it away in the norm.  To clean your clear retainer (Essix) we recommend using a separate toothbrush along with a non-abrasive soap and water.  Another periodic cleaning with a retainer cleaning tablet will make your retainer fresh again.  Most people soak their retainers weekly with these tablets (Retainer Brite).

 

Contact Your Granbury & Weatherford, TX Orthodontist


We hope you've found these tips helpful, and we encourage you to take good care of your teeth during treatment through a diligent, consistent oral hygiene regimen. If you have any questions about caring for your teeth during treatment or about orthodontic treatment in general, we are always here to help. You can call us at (817) 599-9429 for our Weatherford office or (817) 573-4746 for our Granbury office with any questions. If you’d like to make an appointment, we encourage you to reach out to us at our contact page or submit an online form. We can't wait to hear from you, and we look forward to helping you achieve the smile of your dreams!