Keeping teeth as healthy as possible?

[bashiera]

Well, I was braced last Wednesday morning, and I've been watching my oral hygiene much more closely when I found out I'd be getting braced. Growing up with a mother with a huge dental phobia meant I rarely went to the dentist because she couldn't stand it (thanks, ma.) so I don't have the best record for good teeth. I already have mild decalcification on a few teeth and a cavity being filled tomorrow, but I must ask: what do you guys do to keep your teeth as healthy and clean as possible? I want to make sure I end my braces journey with (close to) perfect teeth. I brush after every meal/snack, started rinsing at night with ACT restoring, brush with crest total care with a vitality toothbrush/manual after light meals and floss/proxy brush like a mad woman. Is there anything else to do? I see my mom's, grandpa's, grandma's, and brothers' bad teeth and I want to break the cycle of poor dental hygiene in my family.

[bbsadmin]

Sounds to me like you're doing everything right. Just keep up the routine and you'll be fine.

But understand that sometimes periodontal disease can be "genetic" and can effect people no matter how good their hygiene routine is. The way to keep it under control is to always have excellent oral hygiene and go for regular dental checkups, which it sounds like you are achieving.

The only other thing you could do is add an oral irrigator, but with all the brushing, flossing, and proxi-brushing you're doing, I think that would be overkill.

Remember to always be gentle with your gums. If you brush your teeth too hard at the gumline, or use a brush which isn't soft, you can give yourself some gum recession.

[Crazy4Snow]

Bashiera, I actually wrote a pretty decent entry about my cleaning routine on my blog. I show and detail everything I use. Check it out when you get a chance.

http://tinselteethchronicles.blogspot.c ... attle.html

[bashiera]

Thanks Crazy4Snow! I've been reading your blog since I found this site; you're teeth look amazing! and bbs, I'll keep that in mind. I'm going to ask my dentist about mi paste or a super flouride toothpaste tomorrow for my decalcification and hopefully he'll help me out.

[dojo]

My folks have been terrified of dentists too, well, gotta admit when I was a kid getting to a decent one was a gamble. So, after having 2 root canals done WITH NO anesthesia, you can guess I don't really love them either

started taking better care of my teeth lately and this included getting them in braces too. Just keep on cleaning them as best as you can, floss as much as possible and go for cleaning. You'll be fine. I haven't developed any new cavities, even under braces.

[Crazy4Snow]

Thanks Crazy4Snow! I've been reading your blog since I found this site; you're teeth look amazing!

Thanks! I'm glad you like my blog. I have a feeling I'll be writing on it again tomorrow discussing the nightmare known as "elastics".

[foreverlin]

I keep seeing people saying proxy brushing, what does that mean?

[flynn]

I was a flossing maniac before I got braced, and now it is a timely and difficult process. The floss wont go between a couple of my teeth, gets caught on the brackets, the hooks of the brackets, it rips to shred on a couple of teeth when I try to get it out....my oh my!!! I truly miss flossing. I HATE having my teeth cleaned but I get it done once or twice a year because I have to- I am in the military and they are diligent about our dental visits, so I am lucky to have VERY clean teeth and healthy gums.
Now I have added waterpick to my routine and I brush every couple of hours- I think because the braces feel like food caught on my teeth! The ortho also gave me fluoride to brush on my teeth every night.
I dont know what else I can do- I have bought every type of brush known to man and floss for braces, plus the little pick brushes and TONS of rinsing. I hope this works!