At Dr. Diers' Office, we take hygiene very seriously.  After all, with all the time and money invested in your smile, it is devastating to see scars on the teeth when the braces are removed.  We grade brushing at every visit so problems can be identified and corrected as soon as they occur.  We also provide toothbrushing stations at every office for your convenience.  Below, we have provided the proper techniques for brushing and flossing during treatment.  In addition, you will find information on prescription products, as well as some over the counter remedies to help you throughout the course of your treatment. 

BRUSHING

The most common reason for scars or stains on the teeth after braces treatment, is improper brushing.  You cannot brush the same way as you did before your braces were placed!  You must brush ABOVE the braces, ON TOP of the braces and UNDER the braces; always angling the toothbrush towards the braces.  The bristles of the brush should flare underneath the wire.  Also, you must massage the gum tissue, GENTLY, and in a circular motion.  One of the most common problems during treatment is swollen gum tissue due to a lack of stimulation.  Brush the tops and insides of the teeth as you normally would brush, and make sure to also brush all of the metal in your mouth! (including your lingual arches).

PROXYBRUSH

A Proxybrush is an interdental (between the teeth) toothbrush that you may use to clean underneath and around your wires and braces. Use the Proxybrush gently to avoid damaging your wires. The Proxybrush will help you to clean your braces while maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

FLOSSING

Although flossing may be very time consuming with braces on, it is a very important part of oral hygiene care.  It should be done at least once a day, more often if possible.  Particles of food and plaque caught between the teeth can cause tooth movement to slow down and can keep spaces from closing all the way.  Additionally, not flossing can cause the gum tissue to swell, which makes staining more likely to occur.  In order to get the dental floss underneath the wire, you can use the floss threaders that we provided at your appointment, or "stiff ended" dental floss sold at drug stores.  You simply thread the floss through the threader, and then pull the floss under the wire.  You repeat the process for each tooth. 

PHOS-FLUR

Phos-Flur is a sodium fluoride gel that helps prevent tooth decay while you are wearing braces by killing bacteria and replacing minerals in tooth enamel that have been exposed to harmful acids. The use of Phos-Flur does not replace daily brushing and flossing but should be done following your daily schedule at bedtime. Place a small strip of Phos-Flur on a toothbrush and apply it to your teeth for one minute and spit it out. You may not eat or drink for 30 minutes after you use Phos-Flur. It is important for the active ingredient to stay on your teeth for 30 minutes, so do not wash it away by eating or drinking.  You can use the prescription we give you to purchase your Phos-Flur at the pharmacy, or you can purchase it at our office for $7.50, whichever is easiest and less expensive.

DRY MOUTH?  TRY OASIS!

Many patients suffer from dry mouth during treatment.  Oftentimes, this is short lived and goes away after a few weeks following the placement of your braces.  However, for some people, the dryness does not go away and products such as Oasis can be of great help.  Oasis comes in a rinse and a spray, and is sold over-the-counter at your local drug store.  It is made by Sensodyne and sells for around $6.00.

CANKOR SORES?

Do you suffer from frequent cankor sores?  Some people are simply prone to these sores and a vitamin therapy can help reduce the frequency of their occurrance. Dr. Diers reccommends the following regimen:

Under 12 yrs of age - Daily Dosage                    12 yrs. of age and older - Daily Dosage

With No  Sores            With Sores                         With No Sores                With Sores

250 mg. Vitamin C       500 mg Vitamin C                       500 mg. Vitamin C         1000 mg. Vitamin C

250 mg. L-Lysine         500 mg L-Lysine                        500 mg. L-Lysine          1000mg. L-Lysine

*Every day, take the Vitamin C and the L-Lysine together, in the reccommended dosages.  When the cankor sores appear, double both amounts on a daily basis until the sores clear up.  Both products can be purchased, over-the counter, at your local drug store.

RETAINER CLEANING

The Sonic Denture Bath is ideal for cleaning all of your retainers. Sonic vibration enhances the chemical action to scrub dentures, night guards and retainers completely clean in half the time. Easy-to-use, you can place Efferdent, or other denture cleaners in the sonic cleaner.  Attractive high-impact styrene construction. Requires two AA batteries included. For your convenience, we sell these cleaners at our office for $15.00.