Hi Nickk. At first, I didn't use them..I really didn't think I needed to. Then, I started thinking I could detect some slight staining next to some of my brackets and I also started to 'freak out' about what is known as decalcification (that's where, when you get your braces off, you have little white spots on your teeth). So, I started using the little brushes. I have no idea if I really need to or not, but I figure it can't hurt. Also, I admit that I don't use them every night or anything, but I will dip the end in toothpaste after my regular brushing, and then just kind of brush under the archwire and it seems to really freshen my mouth a lot more. PLUS, the major reason I started doing it more frequently was because I couldn't stand the way the archwire tasted. I have no idea if anyone knows what I mean by that, but I used to have my archwire taken out at my earlier appointments and brush my teeth without the archwire in, and then they'd put it back in, and the taste was just sickening. It made me feel like I was putting old food into my clean mouth. So..I've started using these brushes under the brackets (and behind the ones on my last molars) to really get a good clean of the wire. Again, I don't know if I'm really doing anything beneficial, but it is making my mind more at ease, and that's what really matters, right?
What IS important, however, is that you floss. It IS annoying and takes some getting used to, but this is totally vital when you're in braces. This keeps plaque from forming, etc, but it also helps your teeth move more quickly. I'm not saying that by flossing you're going to see your teeth move NOTICEABLY faster, but over and over orthodontists repeat that good hygene is what makes teeth move or bad hygeniene is what makes them move slower! So floss, floss, floss!!
Also, another thing...I mentioned the decalcification -- this can be avoided by brushing regularly, of course, but also by using a fluoride mouthwash. I switched from listerine to a generic version of ACT based on several posts and recommendations by people. I always thought you needed to 'feel the burn' in order to know you were killing germs, but that's just not true. Listerine works one way; fluoride works another. Both kill bacteria and one is more gentle on the mouth, and also very good for your teeth!
