Metal Mouth Message Board

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?

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.

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.

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

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

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.