Ortho Essentials
We will begin the Crest Oral B program called Ortho Essentials. The program, as outlined below, will provide patients with a comprehensive, personalized plan, both in-office and at home, empowering them with the knowledge and tools to adopt an oral hygiene routine to help achieve a greater level of success in this difficult area.
It is based on a simple 5 level oral hygiene rating system that lets patients know how they’re doing at each visit: 1-poor, 2-needs improvement, 3-average, 4-good, 5-excellent. Each new starting patient will take home:
· Ortho care home booklet and healthy mouth assessment card with pictures to visually monitor the results of daily oral hygiene
· Oral B Triumph electric toothbrush (studies have shown this toothbrush to be the most effective brush in the industry)
· Crest Pro Health Toothpaste
· Crest Pro Health mouth rinse
Each subsequent visit will begin with an oral hygiene evaluation and the score card filled out indicating where improvement is needed. Both patient & parent will be advised of evaluation results.
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.
Antibacterial Mouthwash
Peroxyl, a hydrogen peroxide antiseptic mouth rinse, will reduce inflammation to your gums and cheeks. Peroxyl helps to prevent infection and decrease 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
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.
Cleaning Your Removable Appliance
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 prevent plaque and bacterial accumulation.
In our continued efforts to provide our patients with the most up-to-date technology and procedures available in the field of orthodontics, we are excited to implement a new oral health program. Excellent oral hygiene is a critical factor in the success of every orthodontic treatment plan and one of the most challenging aspects of our practice.