Interdental Toothbrush
A proxy brush is an interdental (between the teeth) toothbrush that you may use to clean underneath and around your wires and braces. Use the proxy brush gently to avoid damaging your wires. The proxy brush will help you to clean your braces while maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Antibacterial Mouthwash
A hydrogen peroxide antiseptic mouth rinse will reduce inflammation to your gums and cheeks. It helps to prevent infection and decrease irritation that may develop from your braces. Just like using peroxide for a scrape on your skin, mouth rinse helps the inside of your mouth heal. It 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 gel 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 gel does not replace daily brushing and flossing but should be done following your daily schedule at bedtime.
Cleaning Your Removable Appliance
Brush your removable appliance every day as a part of your regular brushing and flossing routine. Food particles and plaque can accumulate on your appliance just as they do on your teeth. If needed you can dissolve a Polident, Efferdent or other denture-cleaning tablet in a glass of tap water at room temperature and soak your appliance once a month.. Your appliance will taste better, and you will prevent plaque and bacterial accumulation. Never rinse or soak your retainers in hot or warm water, it will warp or distort them.