Hygiene Kit
To help you to maintain excellent oral hygiene while wearing orthodontic appliances, in addition to the Rota-dent® One Step™ Professional Powered Toothbrush, we provide you with a Hygiene Kit that includes several other cleaning tools that you can use at home:
- Floss
- Floss Threader
- FlossFish™
- Manual Toothbrush
- Proxibrush ("Christmas Tree Brush")
- Toothpaste
- Travel Toothbrush
If you are wearing an expander, there are 2 additional and essential tools for you to use with which to clean your expander:
We also provide you with prescription-strength Fluoride Rinse. And, we recommend that you use Mouthwash and a Waterpik®.
If you purchase a Waterpik® and you have an expander, you may use it instead of your Monoject® Syringe for cleaning under your expander.
Additionally, in your Hygiene Kit, we include Orthodontic Wax for your comfort.
Descriptions of Each Cleaning Tool:
The Rota-dent® One Step™ Professional Powered Toothbrush
The Rota-dent® is your main cleaning tool and when used properly, it will remove plaque and prevent decalcification, cavities, and gum disease. Please visit our Rota-dent® page for more information.
Floss
Flossing is an exceptionally important part of keeping your teeth clean and should be performed at least once every day. It is important to work the floss gently underneath the unattached gingiva on both sides of each papilla, moving the floss along both teeth adjacent to each papilla, so that each side of every tooth is flossed, as plaque sticks to the teeth, not to the gums. Use a new, clean position on the floss for each papilla you floss. Removing the plaque from underneath the gums is a vital part of excellent oral hygiene.
Floss Threader
Many people think that they can't floss while wearing braces, but that is ABSOLUTELY FALSE! It just takes a bit more work to get the job done properly. To floss with braces, a floss threader is an excellent aide. To use a floss threader, simply thread the floss into the eye of the floss threader, and maneuver the threader under the archwire between two brackets, right over a papilla. Once the floss is threaded under the archwire, you can then floss normally. Then, just unthread the floss and move to the next papilla. Use a new, clean position of the floss for each papilla you floss.
When you are first getting used to flossing with braces, we recommend that you set a time limit of flossing 5-10 minutes per day, whether you have finished flossing your entire mouth or not, so that flossing does not become too big of a chore. With practice, as you become a master flosser, the number of teeth you should be able to floss in 5-10 minutes will increase until eventually, you will be able to floss your entire mouth with braces in 5-10 minutes. Remember, the germs in your mouth will not give you a break just because you have braces. In fact, they are happy that flossing is more challenging. So, it is your job to show them who is boss.
Oral-B® Superfloss® is an alternative to a floss threader. It is a one-time use piece of floss with a stiff end - like a built-in floss threader. Oral-B® Superfloss® can be found in most grocery and drug stores.
FlossFish™
The flossFish™ is a relatively new flossing tool that allows you to floss under the archwires in a different way than when using a floss threader. We will be happy to demonstrate how to use the flossFish™.
FlossFish™ Video
Manual Toothbrush
When using a manual toothbrush, ALWAYS use a soft toothbrush. Medium and hard bristles are too hard on the gums and over time, can cause the gums to recede. It is wise to use your manual toothbrush after your Rota-dent®, brushing the broad surfaces of the teeth and the tongue. PLEASE DO NOT USE YOUR MANUAL TOOTHBRUSH AS A REPLACEMENT FOR YOUR ROTA-DENT®. Studies have shown that manual toothbrushes alone are significantly less effective for oral cleaning than electric toothbrushes are. When using your manual toothbrush in conjunction with your Rota-dent®, use a circular motion, as a back and forth motion will miss plaque. Dr. Held recommends that you use Colgate Total® toothpaste with your manual toothbrush.
As with your Rota-dent® brush head, you should replace your manual toothbrush every three or four months - or sooner if the bristles become frayed. A worn toothbrush will not do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
Toothpaste
Dr. Held recommends that you use Colgate Total® toothpaste with your manual toothbrush, due to this toothpaste's 12 hour antibacterial protective shield. Colgate Total® toothpaste is the first toothpaste approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and accepted by the American Dental Association (ADA) to fight gingivitis.
Travel Toothbrush
A travel toothbrush is an excellent instrument to carry with you throughout your day. Ideally, you should brush after every meal. Your travel toothbrush will easily allow you to do so.
Proxibrush
This small brush is also more commonly known as the "Christmas Tree Brush." It is a small, cone-shaped brush that easily fits under the archwires to clean away the plaque that builds up there. Although the Rota-dent® is the best way to clean under the archwires, the proxibrush is very useful to carry with you and to use after meals throughout your day, when you don't have your Rota-dent® with you.
L'il palates™ cleaner
The l'il palates™ cleaner is an essential cleaner to use while wearing an expander. It has a flexible arm with a soft, plastic hook that can fit between the expander acrylic (plastic) and the roof of your mouth. Once you have it in place, simply slide your l'il palates™ cleaner back and forth to remove the food and plaque from under the expander. Additionally, it is important to sweep along the sides of your palate, since it is curved. You should use your l'il palates™ cleaner along with your Monoject® Syringe three times a day after you brush your teeth.
Monoject® Syringe
The Monoject® Syringe is fantastic for cleaning food and plaque out from under your expander, using water pressure. Simply pull back on the plunger with the tip of the syringe dipped in a cup or bowl of water. Then, while leaning over the bathroom sink, aim the syringe tip just under the front of the expander acrylic (plastic), and push the plunger inward. Repeat until the water is clear of food and plaque. It's like giving the roof of your mouth a shower. You should use your Monoject® Syringe along with your l'il palates™ cleaner three times a day after you brush your teeth.
Fluoride Rinse
Fluoride can help to slow down the deleterious effects of plaque. Fluoride is kind of like a vitamin for your teeth.
How Fluoride Works:
For those of you familiar with chemistry, fluoride helps to strengthen teeth by replacing the OH- molecule in the enamel with an F- molecule. The F- molecule is stronger than the OH- molecule and thus, acts like armor against plaque. Because of the positive effects that fluoride provides, we include prescription-strength fluoride as a part of your orthodontic treatment. During your treatment, we will let you know how often to rinse with the fluoride.
Mouthwash
It is wise to use mouthwash to kill bacteria and for fresh breath. We use Listerine® in our office. Please remember that mouthwash is not a substitute for fluoride.
Waterpik®
The Waterpik® is an excellent accessory instrument for removing the large pieces of food and debris from around your braces and from under the gums. Please remember that it should not replace the Rota-dent® and floss.
If you purchase a Waterpik® and you have an expander, you may use your Waterpik® instead of your Monoject® Syringe for cleaning under your expander. Just place the tip of the pointed Waterpik® attachment under the front of the expander acrylic (plastic). Then, while leaning over the bathroom sink, turn your Waterpik® on. Rinse until the water is clear of food and plaque. It's like giving the roof of your mouth a shower massage.
Orthodontic Wax
Orthodontic wax is used to stop your braces from irritating your lips and cheeks. If a part of your braces is causing discomfort, you can take a pea-sized ball of wax, dry off the offending part of your appliances, and place the wax on the part that is irritating. When drying off your appliances, use a cotton ball, a cotton swab, or a tissue to dry the area first, as wax does not stick well in a wet environment. Covering the irritating area of the braces with wax will smooth the area and soothe the adjacent region of the lips or cheeks.
