How to clean teeth when wire shut

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#1 Post by **changes09** » Sat May 09, 2009 4:44 pm

Like some of you know I will be wires shut for 6-8 weeks. I have read that when wired all you can do is use a syringe with salt water and a baby tooth brush for the outsides of the teeth. But is their anything else you can do? Plus isn't it harmful for your teeth? How about a water pik? Or is it WAY to harsh to use on your mouth? August is getting closer and closer and the reality of my surgery is just now setting in

#2 Post by **Emaciated** » Sat May 09, 2009 7:31 pm

Water picks are a no-no because they can blast stitches out. You're pretty much just stuck getting all furry in there. My surgeon suggested a mix of 1-part hydrogen peroxide, 2 parts water to kill germs, although some surgeons say not to do that. Listerine rinses help too to kill the funky taste in there. And salt water rinses of course are good for your gums.

#3 Post by **teylix** » Sat May 09, 2009 8:25 pm

yeah salt water helps break things apart too (like all the blood from nose being in your mouth :/)

also ive found out just how much i love my brace pick thing.. it's like a pick with these small bristle needles at the end that are used to clean between braces. that has kept my teeth a lot cleaner because it's not that easy to really go at it with a toothbrush and the toothbrush of course misses all those small areas just like usual.

#4 Post by **Twinjoy** » Sun May 10, 2009 3:07 am

I have been using my water pik on its lowest setting since 3 days post op. I was much more careful on my lower (BSSO) and cranked it up some on the top because I did not have surgery up there and the splint on my top teeth needed it. It really worked great to blast all the nasty stuff from underneath the splint. I would ask your doctor his opinion on you using it because I could not stand the taste of my own mouth without using that thing after each meal. I would seriously have been sick to my stomach and not been able to eat anything if I could not clean my mouth.

#5 Post by **brendan** » Sun May 10, 2009 11:59 am

for the first couple weeks at least, get ready to have a pretty grimy mouth. end of story. like karl said.. get ready for some furryness hahaa ha

#6 Post by **changes09** » Sun May 10, 2009 12:47 pm

perfect....just perfect (sarcasim) I'll brace my slef for the furryness

#7 Post by **blindboarder2008** » Sun May 10, 2009 8:22 pm

ohhh goody furryness lol lol ugh this is gonna be fun no doubt but i just gotta keep telling myself it will all be worth it in the end, but I'm telling you as soon as i get the okay to clean back there where the furryness will be I'll def be giving it a good clean and probably get my dentist to clean it up really good cause i can imagine how nasty its gonna feel!

#8 Post by **DotCat** » Mon May 11, 2009 11:48 am

Guys, do not scare me here! O___o

#9 Post by **LemnzestManatee** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:00 pm

I was wired shut for 3 1/2 weeks (was de-wired yesterday!), and you definitely are gonna hate the "furryness". It particularly bugged me because I'm a clean freak when it comes to my teeth. But after a while you'll get used to it.

I used a water pik fine started about 2 days after my surgery. (the surgeon recommended I get one) It did wonders when it came to keeping everything relatively clean and keeping infection away. As far as breaking the stitches, my stitches remained in-tact even though I was using one. But I was very careful with it to make sure nothing happened.
Listerine was a lifesaver! You definitely need to get some (if you don't have any already) because you'll wake up every morning with the most horrendous taste in your mouth. And it feels nice to have a minty mouth for a while. (distracts you from the furryness. xD)