Individuals with Orthodontic Appliances

Orthodontic appliances may result in mouth sores as a result of irritation or poor oral hygiene. 

Orthodontic wax is a waxy substance that can be put over brackets to prevent the brackets from causing friction and irritating the labial and buccal mucosa (the inside of your cheeks and lips) which can lead to mouth sores. 

How to use:

1.  Roll up a small piece of wax 

2.  Mold it over the brackets that are rubbing against the inside of your mouth.1 

Silicone covers are placed over the brackets and wires to prevent friction and irritation. These have a similar purpose as orthodontic wax, but they are more durable. 

How to use:

1.  Brush teeth

2.  Dry bracket and wires

3.  Place the silicone over the brackets 2

Mouth sores can also be caused by poor oral hygiene as a result of inflammation. Some interdental aids are especially beneficial for those with orthodontic appliances to maintain good oral hygiene. 

Floss threaders are plastic loops that can be used to thread floss underneath wires of braces. 

How to use:

1.  Insert the floss threader underneath the wire, leaving the end part of the loop out

2.  Thread a piece of floss into the end part of the loop

3.  Pull the floss threader all the way out from underneath the wires

4.  Remove the threader and floss as normal

Platypus flossers are great for patients with braces. The platypus has a flat end with floss that is thin enough to fit underneath wires to allow normal flossing. It also has an end with plastic bristles that can be used to clean around brackets and in between teeth. 

How to use:

1.  Insert the flat end of the flosser underneath the wire pressing lightly against the tooth and gently wiggle the floss in between the teeth 3

2.  Resume normal flossing

Interdental proxabrushes are handles that have a brush tip attached with many bristles. Thinner interdental brushes can be used in between the teeth and thicker brushes can be used to clean the spaces underneath the wire.

How to use:

1.  Insert the brush underneath the wire 

2.  (For a thicker brush) Move the brush up and down to clean underneath the wire and the sides of brackets

3.  (For a thinner brush) Insert the brush in between the teeth and move in a back and forth motion to clean in between the teeth 4

Waterpiks are a type of water flossers that use vibrating/pulsating streams of water to remove plaque from between teeth. You can use the waterpik orthodontic tip which has a tapered brush on the end to help remove plaque as water is expelled.

How to use: 

1.  Fill the reservoir with lukewarm water

2.  Insert the orthodontic tip and insert into the handle 

3.  Start at the low pressure

4.  Place tip in mouth leaning over a sink and turn on

5.  Close lips to prevent splashing

6.  Aim the tip at the gumline and follow gum line with the flosser to remove plaque

7.  Lightly brush between the teeth and around the bracket 5