Brushing Habits

[Smiffy]

Hi guys

im interested to know how often you brush your teeth etc. I have cermaic braces on top, and metal on the lower. currently i brush morning and night as well as after i have eaten something in order to prevent staining and build up of plaque. i would also quickly brush if i have a drink such as tea in the afternoon. so potentially im brushing 4-5 daily. does anyone do this? obviously i do not want to over do it due to the gums but would appreciate feedback!

cheers!

[FlowerPower]

2 to 3x a day. During the week, 3x a day and on the weekend at home 2. It also depends on what I eat. If I eat a big meal on the weekends then I go ahead and brush. I mainly drink water but if I drink a Special K or suck on a hard candy I'm not always gonna get up and go brush.

[BlondeCam]

Someone posted some interesting info on all the different types of toothpastes and their ingredients the other day. It was informative on abrasives in different pastes. I'd say on average I brush 4 times, maybe more on some days. I have the same brackets, ceramic upper/ metal lower. I think as long as you're using a soft brush and non-abrasive paste you'll be fine.
Also, I do your trick of rinsing with water after tea or any coffee. I've heard that the ceramics themself do NOT stain but if the ligatures or o-rings will.
This is only my 3rd week in this time around and I was afraid of staining the clear o-rings so opted for silver-grey. If I can muster the courage I'm going to try the clear at my first adjustment in April. Unfortunately my Ortho doesn't have the pearly white option or I would def choose those.

[Smiffy]

[quote="BlondeCam"]Someone posted some interesting info on all the different types of toothpastes and their ingredients the other day. It was informative on abrasives in different pastes. I'd say on average I brush 4 times, maybe more on some days. I have the same brackets, ceramic upper/ metal lower. I think as long as you're using a soft brush and non-abrasive paste you'll be fine.
Also, I do your trick of rinsing with water after tea or any coffee. I've heard that the ceramics themself do NOT stain but if the ligatures or o-rings will.
This is only my 3rd week in this time around and I was afraid of staining the clear o-rings so opted for silver-grey. If I can muster the courage I'm going to try the clear at my first adjustment in April. Unfortunately my Ortho doesn't have the pearly white option or I would def choose those.[/quote]

Yes its deffo the ligs that stain.i would recommend the clear ones, give them a try. since rinsing my mouth with water during meal times and buying a special silicone straw for hot drinks ive noticed the staining reducing drastically!

[BlondeCam]

Thanks for the tip on the straw, I'll be shopping Amazon for one immediately. I only have one cup each morning but it's a MUST have morning cuppa! I think I will try the clear. It really IS the point of the ceramics afterall. Lol

[Rebeccasmells]

Tomatoes are what cause the staining quickest.

[BLKSAGE]

I brush twice a day but I try my best to rinse after each meal (depending on where I am). I also have a waterpik and go to the dentist for a cleaning every 3-4 months. Nothing beats a good thorough clean from your hygienist!

[26inbraces]

I usually brush 3x/day after meals, sometimes an additional time if I eat anything else. I can't stand the feeling of anything in my braces or the thought of someone seeing a piece of food in there. ;)

[Smiffy]

great replies!!! cheers!!

[Heidirs]

I've read that with braces, you should brush your teeth after every time you eat.

[JanineJanine]

I aim to brush 3 times per day but when busy at work this is sometimes only twice. I rinse with water or have sugar-free gum if I snack during the day. I also use a waterpik which was money well spent. I have a check-up and clean at the dentist tomorrow - first time since being in braces - so I'll be interested to hear how things are looking.

I currently have pearl ligatures, which have now been in place 4 weeks. They are definitely not as white as when they were fitted but they are better than the clear ones would have been at this stage.

[Mpkh]

I brush in the morning and at night, and I try to brush after meals, if I am able to. If not, I usually rinse with water and use mouthwash. I try to floss once a day, but that doesn't always happen!

[Heartofdarkness]

I brush after every meal. That is breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner and other snacks. I realise I'm still a bit rigorious since I'm only 2 months in but I like brushing my teeth, it doesn't bother me that much. Also I'm a routine person so I do it the same way every day which makes it faster.

Morning I brush with 2 brushes, then interdental brush dipped in mouthwash, then mouth wash swirl.
Lunch: 2-3 different brushes (a regular, a small one to get in between brackets, and one to get behind my wisdoms). Sometimes floss.
Dinner: All of the above combined.

Sometimes I'm lazy though, off course. :)

[nightowl12]

I brush at least two times a day. Morning after breakfast with a normal soft brush, interdental brush if needed, then mouthwash. Bedtime, electric toothbrush, floss, interdental brush (and sometimes I brush with normal toothbrush after this) and then mouthwash.

Sometimes I brush after lunch if I have time/am not feeling lazy.

[Ziggy]

I was a brushing fanatic when I first got my braces but now I brush when I can. Get yourself a water flosser, like a WaterPik. Even after brushing you won't believe what comes flying out of your mouth when you use a WaterPik.