ORAL HYGIENE INSTRUCTIONS

Good oral hygiene is essential during and throughout treatment to avoid unnecessary decalcification and/or cavities.

Please follow these procedures as appropriate:

• Brush your teeth three (3) times per day for 4 minutes each time.
• Use an interdental (Pik) brush once daily.
• Floss once daily.
• Use a Waterpik® once daily.

BRUSHING

Please use your orthodontic toothbrush properly (as the assistant has instructed and demonstrated). Brush for a full 4 minutes, using circular brush strokes under the brackets and above the brackets. Be sure that the bristles gently massage all along the gum line. Use some means of timing yourself during brushing (either with an egg timer, wristwatch, song on the radio, etc.) to ensure that you have adequate brush time.

PROXY BRUSH (“CHRISTMAS TREE” BRUSH)

Use of the proxy brush daily is critical. Tooth brushing alone cannot reach all tooth surfaces. Proxy brushing can reach underneath archwires to effectively remove otherwise hard-to-reach plaque.

FLOSSING

Flossing daily is a necessary part of your oral hygiene routine. Use your floss threader as the assistant has demonstrated to you. These floss threaders are reusable—do not throw them away after only one use. Using a waxed floss will aid in ease of flossing while in treatment. Flossing is critical while in treatment to keep your gums toned and healthy.

WATERPIK/AIR FLOSSER

We recommend the use of a Waterpik or air flosser on a daily basis to help flush out bacteria that are normally difficult to clean with regular brushing and flossing. Use of a Waterpik or air flosser removes plaque from areas that a toothbrush can’t reach, such as around brackets and wires.