Dental hygiene routine

[Kitri]

Hi everyone,

I couldn't find a topic on this question. What is your dental hygiene routine? Have you changed your diet since you got the braces fitted?

Ever since I got my lingual braces fitted I've been paranoid about cavities. I have a dark spot (which has been there for about a year) on one of my top molars, and of course, the ortho has placed a massive bracket on that tooth a few weeks ago. (the kind of bracket that really covers your entire tooth - with a hook for the elastics - so easy to clean... )

I have been getting on quite well with the lingual braces until now, but I have to admit, I'm a bit fed up with the hygiene side of things.
I spend approx. 20 minutes brushing my teeth every night. I use the waterpik, then I brush, then I use the interspace brush for more precise brushing, then the small interdental brush to go behind the wire, then actual dental floss, and finally some corsodyl mouthwash.
I am travelling for Xmas and bringing the entire arsenal with me. Since I got those bloody brackets on, I feel like every biscuit crumb is going to lodge between the teeth and the brackets, and my teeth are slowly going to rot behind the brackets.

And of course, with all the chocolates people are forcing on you during Christmas... this isn't making things easier! I am seriously considering a sugar-free diet because the fear of getting cavities is really depressing me each time someone offers me a chocolate or a biscuit.

What is your experience with dental hygiene with linguals?

(also, can you feel I really needed a rant?)

[cs2thecox]

Waterpik. Electric brush. Mouthwash (but not Corsodyl because it stains - just something with flouride). Done.
And that's only morning and evening.

Sometimes I brush at lunchtime if I've had something particularly bad for lunch, or if I have a big meeting or event to go to, but generally not. I just swish with water a bit.

Sometimes I use an interdental brush too. Sometimes (usually) I don't.
And I don't take my Waterpik when I travel unless I'm away for a full week.

My dental hygienist is impressed with how clean I'm keeping everything, and the condition of my gums, so I must be doing something right!

[Kitri]

That's great - I have had good feedback from my dentist too, so maybe I should cut myself some slack. I'm just worried because the dentist can't actually see what's going on behind the brackets (they're so big after all...), so that's making me paranoid.

And yes, like you I only take the waterpik if I'm away for a long time! Although it's hard to live without it - it's making such a difference.

[cs2thecox]

I figure that I managed for 28 years without flossing AT ALL, and all through my teenage orthodontics with barely more than a manual toothbrush and a few toothpicks, so all the stuff we have now is bound to be a massive improvement...!

Also, things like brushing too often and brushing too soon after food can actually do more harm than good, so getting the pH balance back in your mouth soon after eating (plenty of water, sugar free gum if you can find Freedent as it doesn't stick) is probably actually better than going and poking around in there too much. <- slack (sort of) officially given

[orchid]

Morning and evening:
1. Electric toothbrush
2. Waterpik
3. Sometimes interdental brush between some teeth (there's not enough space between most of them)
4. Mouthwash with flouride

After lunch, dinner and snacks if home:
1. Electric toothbrush
2. Waterpik

After lunch, dinner and snacks if away from home:
1. Regular toothbrush

I've been feeling myself slacking a bit. It's been a month since my fitting and I'm definately not as rigorous with my routine as I was in the beginning. I've skipped the lunch brushing a couple of times now... One of my new year's resolution will be to stay good with my routine

[cs2thecox]

I use little ones too - TePe brand for me. Recommended by my hygienist, easy to get over here, and come in loads of different colour-coded sizes.

I hate the long-handle ones - far more awkward!