Orthodontic treatment requires some adjustment – both to the physical changes occurring in your mouth and to your routine for oral hygiene. And your Braces, Invisalign® clear aligners, or retainers all require some care and attention so they can function optimally. Here are some best practices for getting the best results during, and after, your treatment.
It’s extremely important to keep you teeth and gums healthy during orthodontic treatment, and it can become a bit trickier with an orthodontic appliance. The right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss can make all the difference for proper dental care. Our team is happy to share our best suggestions and to guide you on the best regimen to use during braces or Invisalign aligner treatment – because like your teeth, we’re in this together!
Brush your teeth three times a day
Brush your teeth three times per day, for three minutes per session. With braces, angle your toothbrush around each bracket and under the wire.
Floss at least once a day
Flossing is essential for maintaining good oral health and should be performed once each day.
Rinse twice a day
Rinse twice a day with an over-the-counter fluoride rinse.
Use gum or breath mints with xylitol
Use sugar-free gum or breath mints containing xylitol four times per day, after meals, for five to ten minutes.
Brush your teeth three times a day
Brush your teeth three times per day, for three minutes per session. With braces, angle your toothbrush around each bracket and under the wire.
Floss at least once a day
Flossing is essential for maintaining good oral health and should be performed once each day.
Rinse twice a day
Rinse twice a day with an over-the-counter fluoride rinse.
Use gum or breath mints with xylitol
Use sugar-free gum or breath mints containing xylitol four times per day, after meals, for five to ten minutes.
At first, your teeth and mouth may feel a bit tender or sore. This is temporary – and perfectly normal. You can help relieve oral tissue discomfort by dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle. Swish and gargle. Swish and gargle. This will help promote the healing of your mouth! But don’t swallow the salt water (trust us, you won’t like it). If the pain still doesn’t go away after rinsing, you can take a pain reliever. When you’re new to braces, your lips, cheeks, and tongue may also become irritated. This will quickly pass, but if needed, we can give you some wax to temporarily put over your braces and give your mouth a break.
Modern technology means sturdier braces, but you still need to be careful and avoid foods that could damage your orthodontic appliance. Softer foods are recommended (mmm, mac & cheese…), especially after an appointment when your mouth may be sore. When in doubt, take it slow or avoid it altogether.
Avoid hard or sticky foods
Sticky foods can get wrapped around your appliances and cause them to break or come loose. Hard foods can break your braces and damage your appliances.
Avoid high-sugar and high-acidity drinks
High-sugar and high-acidity drinks, when mixed with saliva, create plaque—a sticky film that coats the teeth and is difficult to remove completely, even with brushing.
Cut food into smaller pieces
Some foods are fine to enjoy, as long as they’re cut into smaller pieces which won’t damage your braces or appliance. Examples include bagels, carrots, and apples.
Enjoy soft, braces-friendly foods
Many of your favorite soft foods and drinks are perfectly safe with braces or appliances.
Avoid hard or sticky foods
Sticky foods can get wrapped around your appliances and cause them to break or come loose. Hard foods can break your braces and damage your appliances.
Avoid high-sugar and high-acidity drinks
High-sugar and high-acidity drinks, when mixed with saliva, create plaque—a sticky film that coats the teeth and is difficult to remove completely, even with brushing.
Cut food into smaller pieces
Some foods are fine to enjoy, as long as they’re cut into smaller pieces which won’t damage your braces or appliance. Examples include bagels, carrots, and apples.
Enjoy soft, braces-friendly foods
Many of your favorite soft foods and drinks are perfectly safe with braces or appliances.
Sure, your Invisalign clear aligners can easily come on and off, and people enjoy that flexibility when eating and drinking. But with great power comes great responsibility, which means you must keep track of them and clean them frequently.
Clean your aligners regularly
Gently clean your aligners with a toothbrush and toothpaste or Retainer Brite®cleaner tablets 1-2 times daily.
Disinfect your aligners every day
You may use EverSmile® WhiteFoam or Steraligner daily to help keep your aligners fresh, whiten teeth, and help with dry mouth.
Keep your aligners safe
Keep your aligners away from pets, boiling water, bleach, denture cleaner, and any other cleaning products. Avoid placing your aligners in a napkin while eating to avoid accidentally throwing them away!
Apply and remove your aligners carefully
When you put your aligners in, make sure they’re securely in place. When removing them, loosen your aligners in several places, and then gently dislodge them.
Clean your aligners regularly
Gently clean your aligners with a toothbrush and toothpaste or Retainer Brite®cleaner tablets 1-2 times daily.
Disinfect your aligners every day
You may use EverSmile® WhiteFoam or Steraligner daily to help keep your aligners fresh, whiten teeth, and help with dry mouth.
Keep your aligners safe
Keep your aligners away from pets, boiling water, bleach, denture cleaner, and any other cleaning products. Avoid placing your aligners in a napkin while eating to avoid accidentally throwing them away!
Apply and remove your aligners carefully
When you put your aligners in, make sure they’re securely in place. When removing them, loosen your aligners in several places, and then gently dislodge them.
Orthodontic care doesn’t end once your braces or aligners are removed. Retainers are stabilizers, keeping your teeth happy and secure in their new position. Take care of your retainer, and you take care of your teeth – for a lifetime. But if you lose your retainer, or if it no longer fits properly, let us know and we’ll get you back on track.
Clean your retainer regularly
Carefully scrub the retainer with a toothbrush and water at least once a day. Avoid brushing with toothpaste as it can be abrasive and scratch your retainer.
Apply and remove your retainer carefully
When you put your retainer in, make sure it’s securely in place. When removing it, loosen your retainer in several places, and then gently dislodge it.
Keep your retainer safe
Protect your retainer from heat and pets. Avoid placing your retainer in a napkin while eating to avoid accidentally throwing it away!
Replace your retainer when necessary
Even a well-made retainer will eventually wear out. If your retainer has deteriorated, or it feels different than it did when new, contact your Shawano orthodontist.
Clean your retainer regularly
Carefully scrub the retainer with a toothbrush and water at least once a day. Avoid brushing with toothpaste as it can be abrasive and scratch your retainer.
Apply and remove your retainer carefully
When you put your retainer in, make sure it’s securely in place. When removing it, loosen your retainer in several places, and then gently dislodge it.
Keep your retainer safe
Protect your retainer from heat and pets. Avoid placing your retainer in a napkin while eating to avoid accidentally throwing it away!
Replace your retainer when necessary
Even a well-made retainer will eventually wear out. If your retainer has deteriorated, or it feels different than it did when new, contact your Shawano orthodontist.
Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.