BRUSHING & FLOSSING

---

Tooth Brushing

Dr. Togrye recommends brushing after every meal or snack. Carry a travel toothbrush. Plaque takes 24 hours to form, so brush five minutes after you eat. You should have two thorough brushings a day:  morning and evening.

1. Soften your toothbrush by holding it under hot water.
2. Start in the same place each time and systematically cover the inside and outside of upper and lower teeth, ending in the same place each time.
3. Brush appliances, being sure to work the bristles of the brush down under the archwire to remove all food and plaque deposited there.  
4. Pay special attention along the gum-line and around the brackets.
5. Scrub the chewing surfaces last.
6. Gently brush your gums and tongue.
7. Use fluoride rinse at night to protect your teeth from developing decalcifications (white spots.)  

Dr. Togrye will continually monitor your oral hygiene and will not leave you alone until your hygiene is acceptable – so do us all a favor and follow his instructions closely. Failure to follow this regimen regularly will lead to decalcifications and unhealthy gums. Healthy gums are light pink in color, hard and firm. Unhealthy gums are red, puffy, loose and flabby. They also bleed easily and are subject to periodontal disease.

Flossing

Floss once a day even after your evening brushing.

1. Start in the same place each time.
2. Thread floss under the archwire and insert it between teeth.
3. Wrap the floss halfway around the side of one tooth and move the floss in an up and down motion.
4. Wrap the floss halfway around the side of an adjacent tooth and move the floss in an up and down manner.
5. Pull the floss straight out, not down (the wire will prevent you from pulling straight down.)
6. Insert the floss in the next space and repeat for all teeth. 

Soreness and Irritation

Until your mouth develops a tolerance to your braces, you may experience irritation in certain areas in your mouth, especially around the bands and the brackets with additional attachments. The orthodontic wax provided for you in your braces’ pack provides a temporary “Band-aid” for the irritated area. Ball up a small amount between your fingers until it is warm and pliable. Apply the wax around the problem bracket or band, catching it between and under wire and bracket so it will hold. This will smooth the roughness of the appliance until your mouth gets used to the braces.

Sores in the mouth are normal, especially right after the initial placement of the appliances. OraBase gel is also provided in your braces’ pack. Dab a small amount of this gel directly on the sore if additional relief is needed.

Loosening of Teeth

You can expect your teeth to become mobile shortly after the braces have been applied. This mobility may remain throughout the time that you are in treatment or it may come and go as you enter different stages of your treatment. If you have a question concerning a specific tooth that may seem very loose of painful, please bring it to the attention of Dr. Togrye or one of our staff members.