How do you manage keeping your teeth clean when out?

[DecemberRain]

I just got braces about 2-3 weeks ago and I was told how vital it is to keep my teeth clean. I was told to brush for at least a full two minutes, use mouthwash, and use the interdental brushes and gum cleaning brush I was given after each and every meal or food/drink consumption. I'm able to do this at home but I'll admit I'm neglecting it when out and about. It's not feasible to go to a public bathroom and pull out toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthwash, several different sized interdental brushes, floss and a gum brush and stand there going about my cleaning routine while random people are coming in and out, trying to wash their hands etc. Plus I'd be concerned about the cleanliness in a public bathroom.

I'm at university and because I'm in my final year, I'll be spending close to a full 40 hour working week at uni, especially this first semester, as I need to be in the lab collecting/analysing data and carrying out practical experiments so I'm worried that I'll be going hours without giving my teeth a proper cleaning and obviously I can't just not eat all day so my teeth'll be getting dirty and festering in it until I can get home to brush them.

Just wondered how everyone else manages this?

Also, the special orthodontic mouthwash I was given is about to run out - do I have to continue using this particular brand of mouthwash (it's Vitis if it's useful), or can I just use a normal mouthwash? I normally use Corsodyl mouthwash and toothpaste as I have issues with gum disease, so could I go back to using these? I have clear braces and I know Corsodyl warns about staining, so could Cordosyl be an issue regarding staining?

Thanks

[GeezLouise]

At the office, I keep a sandwich bag with supplies and a fold-up cup. I fill my cup at the coffee area sink, then in the restroom lay a clean paper towel on the counter to set my bag and cup on.
While driving or shopping, I swish my drink to try to get some of the chunks out of the brackets. I keep one of those little brushes in my purse to use if needed. If I'm at a relative's home, I'll go brush. Hope that helps

[Gerbera]

Hi,

I'm amazed at the cleaning routines others are doing. It seems excessive to me to brush, mouthwash, interdental brush and gum brush (?) every time you eat. I think too much brushing can be harsh on enamel and gums.

I think a vigorous swill with water or mouthwash after eating when out and interdental brushes if necessary is sufficient. I've started using the waterpik when I get home.

[onwardsandupwards]

Honestly I wouldn't worry too much about the *full* cleaning routine while you're out and about, like you say it's just not feasible every day especially in public bathrooms.

My advice would be to try and stick to 3 main meals a day, with minimal or no snacking and only drink water while you're out. Try and have a big breakfast to keep you full up! This eliminates the need to clean your teeth so much during the day as your teeth are not being continuously exposed to new sources of plaque. Give your teeth a really good brush in the morning & evening and make sure to floss once a day. If you can, use your interdental brushes after lunch just to get any big bits of gunk out so you don't have loads of stuff sitting between your wires & brackets until the evening.

Personally I don't worry about brushing after lunch at work as I did try the cleaning routine initially and it's just far too much of a hassle to keep it up daily. I give my mouth a good swish with water several times after eating lunch & use my interdentals to get stubborn bits out if necessary. Generally though I just make sure to brush really well mornings & evenings - I use an electric toothbrush and do a full 2x cycles with that which is about 4 mins each time & then floss in the evenings. I went to the dentist after 6 weeks of having my braces and she said I was cleaning them well, so I feel confident enough I'm doing a good job.

Also to be on the safe side I'd stay clear of Corsodyl as I believe it can stain your braces a nasty brown colour. Ask your dentist or ortho about alternatives - I'm sure they'll be able to advise you!

Hope this helps x

[Snowglobe32]

When I was in braces, I brushed, flossed and used mouthwash after lunch while at work, and I still do even though I have been out of braces for 2 years....if you aren't able to brush, I would at least swish your mouth with water several times. I've always been told to wait 30 minutes after eating to do anything...you don't want to brush right away because it can cause damage to enamel.

It may seem like an inconvenience but I would definitely brush 3 x a day when in braces. There are too many "traps" for food to get stuck between wires, brackets, elastics etc...I kept my supplies in a small makeup bag and just placed a paper towel on the counter and carried on about my business.

If I had a snack between meals, I did not brush, just swished with water.


Good luck!

[EWUgal15]

I keep a travel toothbrush and interdental brushes in my purse and almost always carry a bottle of water with me. If I'm out with friends, I try to very discretely break chunks loose with an interdental brush and swish with water. When I'm at work, I have no qualms about brushing my teeth in the restroom but I don't brush after every lunch break. Sometimes I even bust out a Sonicare, which tends to get me some weird looks until people realize it's a toothbrush and not something inappropriate for work. And most of my coworkers commend me for having such amazing dental hygiene practices/habits.

As for mouthwash, there's a great sticky thread about the different kinds of mouthwash out on the market. I wasn't instructed to change mouthwashes with my braces, so if you normally use Corsodyl, I would keep using it. Since you already know about the staining, you won't be surprised. And usually it's the ligatures that stain, not the actual brackets, so if you have self-ligating brackets, you're in the clear (no pun intended).

[WVJordan]

I am fortunate I work in a pretty sparsely populated office setting, so I just sneak to the bathroom twice a day and brush my teeth.

[metalliKa]

You'll manage as the days progress. And will realize that it isn't all that necessary to fully brush and floss and everything else you mentioned after every meal. At lunch time, a brush to rid any food from your braces is sufficient. Night brushing matters the most because when you sleep, bacteria will wreck havoc inside your mouth so it's good to really clean at night time. Other than that, it's usually your conscience that guilts you into brushing...at least that's how my brain works.

[dantocanada]

Honestly, when I had my braces, I wasn't nearly as contentious as everyone else (only brushed twice a day for 4 minutes, flossed every other day), but used the Water Pic religiously whenever I could. I even travelled with a portable one (I travel for work a lot). If I was out for a meal, I'd use the mirror in my car or a small compact one in a bathroom stall, with a proxa brush. I also couldn't stand the thought of standing in front of a mirror and cleaning my teeth in a public bathroom. I would also drink (and swish) plenty of water, throughout the afternoon, and by the time I got home, 90% of the "left overs" would be gone. I would of course Water Pic very well when I got home (with a 45 second Listerine Zero rinse), but I still would only brush in the morning and at night. Maybe everyone is different, but both my ortho and my dentist remarked consistently throughout my treatment how clean my teeth were and how healthy my gums were, especially after having gum surgery. Anyways, the braces came of two months ago and there is not even the slightest mark left on my teeth. They cleaned off beautifully with a regular dental cleaning, at which the hygienist remarked she couldn't find any plaque! I personally believe the secret is the Water Pic - do it frequently enough and there will never be stuff left behind to damage your teeth.

[dantocanada]

Sorry, first line - contentious should be conscientious.