Hygiene & Care
A large part of our overall focus during treatment and lots of time at the placement of the braces is devoted to brushing and oral hygiene. Good personal oral hygiene is a joint effort of the Arkansas Orthodontics team, the patient and the parents.
We teach you to use a conventional toothbrush and toothpaste, the Proxybrush, floss and the floss threader. Good personal brushing is not difficult–it only involves some minor changes in conventional technique. Check here for Brushing With Braces!
There are three important elements to success:
▪ Brush frequently–3 times a day if possible
▪ Brush a little longer–3 minutes if possible
▪ Pay attention to what you are doing–focus
Good brushing, a clean mouth and healthy gums create a lot of benefit during treatment. The advantages are:
▪ The teeth will look much whiter and prettier after treatment
▪ The teeth, when bleached, will get a much better result
▪ The gums will look much more healthy and more pink after treatment
▪ The treatment will go much more quickly if the gums are healthy
▪ The overall quality of the treatment will be better
Keeping braces, teeth and gums clean is the most important thing a patient can do. By following your orthodontist’s instructions on oral hygiene you can maintain healthy teeth and a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime!
• Good brushing & oral hygiene are necessary for the success of your treatment
• Protect your braces from hard/chewy foods & ice
• Brush carefully
• Report any breakage immediately
Emergencies
The two key principles of our practice philosophy guide us in our relationships with our patients. First, we place value on you and your time, and second, we feel that there should be no surprises in your treatment. In this regard, we have someone on the staff available to you at all times. The doctors and staff at Arkansas Orthodontics are always available to you because when you have questions, concerns or needs, we want to be there for you. Never be reluctant to call any of the doctors or staff after hours if a problem arises.
