Now that you have your orthodontic appliances or braces in place, keeping your teeth, gums and appliances clean is most important. We will provide a SONICARE electric toothbrush to all of our patients with braces to help assist you in keeping your teeth clean

Braces, wires, bands and retainers all can trap food particles and make it difficult to brush or floss away plaque. Plaque is a sticky layer of harmful bacteria, food, saliva and debris, which if allowed to build up, can attack your teeth and gums, causing cavities and gum disease.

Brushing and flossing after every meal and snack is the only way to prevent plaque build up, tooth decay, and gum disease.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR EXCELLENT ORAL HYGIENE

• Use the SONICARE electric toothbrush. A minimum of two minutes is needed to brush correctly. The SONICARE toothbrush runs for 2 minutes and will signal you every 30 seconds to go to another part of your mouth.
  
• Use a fluoride containing toothpaste when you brush.
  
• A soft bristled brush is also recommended----change every six months.
  Continue to use all hygiene aids (such as stimudents, electric toothbrushes, proxy brushes, fluoride mouth rinses, etc.) that have been part of your regular routine. Remember, however, these cannot substitute for good brushing and flossing!
  
• A fluoride toothpaste will be prescribed to help prevent cavities.
  
• Use floss to help prevent plaque. A floss threader is helpful in flossing under orthodontic wires.
  Floss, brushes, mouth rinses, auxiliary aids, etc. are all available at the local drugstore or supermarket. Keep a supply on hand at home, work, school or when you travel so you may clean your teeth after every meal.
  
• Maintain regular six-month checkups with your family dentist throughout your orthodontic treatment.
  Avoid eating hard foods such as ice, popcorn, nuts, spare ribs or corn chips. If you eat hard fruit, vegetables or French bread, it's a good idea to cut them into bite size pieces first.
  
• Avoid sticky foods and foods high in added sugar such as caramel, bubble gum, taffy, gummy bears, Tootsie Rolls, etc.
  
• Whenever you have something sweet, brush your teeth and braces immediately afterward. Don't wait!

TIPS FOR BRUSHING WITH BRACES

BRUSHING with your toothbrush (soft bristles only): WHEN? After every meal. If you cannot brush right away, rinse well with water.
1. Use a dry brush with a small amount of toothpaste. Place bristles where gums and teeth meet.	2. Use circular, vibrating motions around the gum lines, 10 seconds on each tooth.
3. Brush slowly, each arch separately, every tooth.	4. Brush the lower teeth up and the upper teeth down. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth too!

WHEN? After every meal. If you cannot brush right away, rinse well with water.

1. Use a dry brush with a small amount of toothpaste. Place bristles where gums and teeth meet.

2. Use circular, vibrating motions around the gum lines, 10 seconds on each tooth.

3. Brush slowly, each arch separately, every tooth. 4. Brush the lower teeth up and the upper teeth down. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth too!

FLOSSING WHEN? Nightly before brushing. HOW? Use floss threader between gums and braces. WHY? Removes plaque toothbrush misses.
5. Carefully pull the floss between wire and braces. A floss threader may be helpful.	6. Floss carefully around the braces.
7. Floss carefully around the gum area.	8. Floss carefully around each tooth.
It is your job to keep your teeth and braces spotlessly clean!
Finished result with proper oral hygiene:	What can happen if brushing and flossing procedures are not followed:

1. Use the floss threader, as a needle and thread, and lace the floss under the wire between the teeth. Remove the floss threader, and holding the floss with the fingers of both hands, gently wipe up and down the surface of each tooth a minimum of five times. The tooth will feel "squeaky" when clean. Without removing the floss from between the teeth, move the floss to a clean section and repeat for the other surface of the adjacent tooth. Remove the floss, re-thread, and repeat for each tooth.

2. Floss all teeth at least once a day. Remember, flossing is the best way to prevent plaque build-up between the teeth and gums. Without daily plaque removal from between your teeth, your gums will bleed, a first sign of gum infection, gingivitis or periodontal (gum) disease.

ORAL HYGIENE WINNERS

The doctors and staff at Reading Orthodontic Group try to help our patients improve their oral hygiene. Because children, and sometimes adults, too, need constant encouragement, we have an ongoing contest to provide incentive.

Patients who earn an "A" on our A-F grading system get a ticket. Every month one winning ticket is pulled from the contest jar. The winner gets a $100 gift certificate to the Berkshire Mall!

Winners:

	Clayton Spring 2004		Susan Winter 2004
	Megan Fall 2003		Alyssa Spring 2003

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