Keeping Your Braces Clean

As soon as your braces are fitted they start to align your teeth. You must look after your teeth and braces or treatment may take longer than normal.

Brushing should take at least 5 minutes and this should be done at least 2-3 times per day – after each meal.

• The most important area to brush is between the braces and the gums. This area “traps” a lot of food and plaque forms quickly. Using your Curacept toothpaste and special Ortho toothbrush, place the brush between the braces and the gums, with a small circular motion at a 45-degree angle to the tooth.
• Next, using the same brushing action and angulations, clean around all the brackets and wires. Firstly, clean from the tops of the wires, then from the bottom. Always remember to clean the top and bottom teeth separately.
• Don’t forget all the other surfaces of the teeth as well (inner tongue surface and chewing surface).
• Rinse using Curacept Mouthwash and check in the mirror carefully to ensure that all the food and debris is gone!
• Use your interproximal brush once a day! This brush is a great helper for those hard to clean areas, especially for under your wires and between your brackets.

Mouthwash and Toothpaste

For ongoing daily use as part of your oral hygiene regime, we recommend using a mouthwash and toothpaste which contains a combination of chlorhexidine and fluoride. Using products that contain chlorhexidine and fluoride is an effective and proven way to fight bacteria in the mouth, which is especially useful for patients with braces while their teeth are moving.

We recommend Curacept toothpaste as it contains chlorhexidine as well as fluoride and is SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) free. 17% of the adult populations suffer from recurrent mouth ulcers, one cause of which is SLS. Cutting out this foaming agent from your toothpaste will help to alleviate the pain of mouth ulcers. Curacept mouthwash is also non-staining and alcohol-free.

Chlorhexidine is the gold standard antimicrobial for the effective and proven way to fight bacteria in the mouth. Curasept is clinically proven not to stain teeth like conventional chlorhexidine products and will not alter your taste perception which is why we choose to use these products.

All our patients are encouraged to keep their 6 monthly appointments with their general dentist for general check-ups and cleans.

Toothbrushes

Too large, too thick, too hard – these are the main characteristics of most toothbrushes. With so many shapes, sizes and styles of toothbrushes on the market, deciding which kind to buy can be confusing. Most dental professionals agree that a soft-bristled brush is best for removing plaque and debris from your teeth. Small-headed brushes are also preferable since they can better reach all areas of the mouth, including hard-to-reach back teeth.

The main task of the toothbrush is to remove plaque, and having braces increases the risk of build-up. Choosing the right brush is very important and Curaprox have a great Ortho-brush especially designed for use with braces to help keep them nice and clean. You should replace your toothbrush when it begins to show wear, or every three months, whichever comes first.