Oral Hygiene

Stay on top of your dental health.

When it comes to taking care of your teeth during your orthodontic treatment, cleaning can be tricky if you don’t have the proper tools. The teams at Rogers & Andrews Orthodontics in Augusta and Thomson are here to help. Whether you have braces or a removable appliance, there are many ways to make sure that your mouth stays clean. Keep reading to learn more and contact us at Rogers & Andrews if you have any questions about proper oral hygiene during your orthodontic treatment!

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Cleaning Your Removable Appliances

Your removable appliance is an important part of your orthodontia services. Brush your removable appliance every day as a part of your regular brushing and flossing schedule. Because food particles and plaque can accumulate on your appliance just as they do on your teeth, soak the appliance daily. Dissolve a Polident, Efferdent or other denture-cleaning tablet in a glass of tap water at room temperature and soak your appliance once every day. Your appliance will taste better, and you will help prevent plaque and bacterial accumulation.

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Interdental Toothbrush

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

Flossing With Braces

Floss threaders are the best way to keep flossing your teeth in and around your braces. These threaders help guide the floss under the wires so that you can easily access the spaces between your teeth and keep both your teeth and gums healthy.

Antibacterial Mouthwash

Peroxyl, a hydrogen peroxide antiseptic mouth rinse, will reduce inflammation to your gums and cheeks. Peroxyl helps to prevent infection and decreases irritation that may develop from your braces. Rinse your mouth with two teaspoons of Peroxyl (half a capful) for one minute and then spit it out. You may use Peroxyl up to four times daily following your schedule for brushing: after meals (or after school) and before bed. Just like using peroxide for a scrape on your skin, Peroxyl helps the inside of your mouth heal. Peroxyl can be used for general irritation caused by your braces or for canker sores, cheek bites, and other minor temporary injuries to the gums.

Topical Fluoride

Fluoride 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 fluoride does not replace daily brushing and flossing but should be done following your daily schedule at bedtime. Place a small strip of the fluoride 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 use. 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.

Tongue Exercises for Better Dental Health

Our teams at Rogers & Andrews in Augusta and Thomson work hard to make sure that each and every one of our patients have the tools and knowledge they need for the best dental health possible — including tips for retraining the muscles inside their mouth! Here are a few tips to keep in mind and a few exercises to practice to keep your dental health in the best shape possible:

Avoid liquids while eating. It’s important not to “wash your food down” with water or another beverage. By eliminating liquids while eating, you are forced to swallow properly, without thrusting your tongue forward and against the back of your teeth.
Click. Place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, press, then bring it down forcefully to create a clicking or popping sound. Repeat this process as often as possible throughout the day. This helps your tongue muscle feel more comfortable resting on the roof of your mouth rather than around your front teeth.
Slurp. After practicing your first exercise, place the tongue as if to click, but instead suck the air back into the mouth. This will pull your tongue back. Then, press on the top of your mouth with your tongue and swallow, not allowing the tongue to thrust forward.
Squeeze. Squeeze your teeth together as hard as possible for 15 seconds, relax, then do it again for a total of four times. Repeat five times per day.

Rogers & Andrews Orthodontics is Here to Help

Practicing proper dental care and oral hygiene is an essential part of your orthodontic treatment, and at Rogers & Andrews, we are here to help with any tools and instructions that you need. If you have any questions about how to use your cleaning tools or washes, please give us a call at our Augusta or Thomson office today!

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