Cleaning Regimen

[IamKrysie]

I am really afraid that I am not doing enough to keep my teeth clean whilst in braces. So, this is what I do:
Morning, after breakfast
-Brush with sonicare, use proxy brush, use waterpik, fluoride mouthwash (Currently using Act restoring)
Afternoon, after lunch
-Brush with manual brush (since Im usually at work), fluoride mouthwash
Evening, after dinner
-Brush with sonicare, use proxy brush, use waterpik, fluoride mouthwash

My ortho is kind of old school and seemed to indicate that brushing twice a day, flossing, and using a fluoride mouthwash was enough as long as I rinsed out my mouth after meals. I just am not sure that's enough cleaning since I feel like so much food gets stuck under the wire.

So, what do you do to keep your mouth clean? Am I doing enough? Should I change anything?

[DaisySmith]

Apparently cleaning before breakfast is better or waiting at least thirty minutes after eating it is better for teeth. In the beginning of braces I cleaned my teeth several times a day. Now I don't; I clean my teeth twice a day unless I am going out somewhere and I'll clean a third time. However I do rinse after meals and mouthwash a couple of times a day. I also use the interdental sticks when I brush. I am inclined to agree with your dentist. If you have a goof rinse around after eating I can't imagine you'll have a problem.

[chichi]

I brush and use Listerine morning and night and I do my flossing at night. A vigorous swishing after meals generally clears everything up. If I have something still stuck in the brackets after the swishing, I'll whip out the little tree brush, which does the trick.

[breysanchez]

I've had my Damons in for five days now and my routine is becoming less and less time consuming as I've gained speed. I'm a little more extensive in my nightly routine, however, for purposes of a "deep cleen."

--brush with organic toothpaste , rinse with TheraFresh mouthwash

--brush with any travel size toothpaste , rinse w/TF mouthwash , use proxybrush as necessary

--floss with Crest Glide , brush , rinse w/TF then use Waterpik for massage , end with fluoride rinse from my ortho

[Gerib]

You should be flossing or using the waterpik BEFORE you brush. It opens up the spaces between your teeth for better brushing.

[kathydell]

I used to brush about 5 times a day but realized that was just too much. So, I take off the rubber bands and do a good long brushing in the morning and a swish with listerine. I just rinse after breakfast because I'm already at work and I don't want to risk enamel damage with too much brushing. I'll use a proxy brush if anything is stuck in the wires after a couple of rinses. After lunch, the rubber bands come out and I do another really good brush and use the proxy brush if needed. After dinner/before bed, I the rubber bands come out and I do another really good brush followed by a long Waterpik. I mix equal parts Listerine and water in the Waterpik. That routine has been working really well for me and I always get an A on hygiene at the ortho office. You'll find a routine that works for your lifestyle and your needs. I do find that water is a far better cleaner than I ever imagined. A few virous swishes usually gets out 99% of anything that gets stuck.