It is recommended that you follow these simple rules when caring for your braces:
- Brush with fluoridated toothpaste at least 3 times a day for 4 minutes at a time
- Floss at least once a day
- Use your interdental brush (Proxabrush) after each meal to clean underneath and around your wires and braces.
- Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups (a minimum of twice per year)
Other helpful suggestions:
Fluoridated Mouthwash. Using a fluoridated mouthwash helps prevent cavities by remineralizing tooth enamel. Examples include: Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief, Listerine Ultraclean, Listerine Smart Rinse and Crest Pro-Health For me.
Chewing Gum with Xylitol is beneficial for dental health by reducing cavities. Examples include: Stride, Pur, and certain Trident brands. If you cannot find a gum with Xylitol, it is still fine to chew gum so long as it does not contain any sugar. If you have any jaw joint issues, consult with Dr. Inocencio or your family dentist.
Cleaning Your Removable Appliance Brush your removable appliance every day as part of your regular brushing and flossing schedule. This will remove food debris and plaque that accumulates on it. You can also soak your appliance on a daily basis in a denture or retainer cleaning solvent such as Polident or Efferdent.