Metal Mouth Message Board

Sorry, if this is a redundant question, but what brushing tools do you need for braces?

I have a Flexcare-plus Sonicare toothbrush and threader floss.

Hate the threader floss though. Thinking of trying SturdyFloss.

But since I have an electric toothbrush do I still need an "proximal" brush?

It seems kind of over-kill.

When do people use an proximal? AFTER brushing with a normal brush? And what kind
do you use? Sulcabrush? Plastic tip? Christmas tree tip? Metal wires? The syringe type that's squirtable? The range of choices is overwhelming!

Help! Thanks!!!

All I used was a manual toothbrush, the floss my dentist gave me for free, and a floss threader. I got a clean bill of heath from my dentist when the braces were removed, but then again, I didn't have any underlying issues like gum recession. As for the inter-proximal brushes, I have three kinds still collecting dust in my bathroom. I think it's just personal preference with those. Try them out and see which you like/works best. Using them before or after you brush is also personal preference. Then again, you may find (like me) that you just don't need them.

Thanks Tumbledry! I was so overwhelmed by the range of devices out there. I guess the basic old school ways are still valid. Though I have invested in some SturdyFloss. Threaders take forever!

I still use my little brush as wekk as my oral b electric toothbrush to get in the little bits around the brace and floss between.

My ortho gave me a free sonicare toothbrush and I was told to make that my main toothbrush. I feel like I've just had my teeth professionally cleaned everytime I brush! I just use that and then I floss with that special floss thingy (sorry don't know what it's called!). I also use Crest Pro Health Flouride mouthwash.

I use a oral b electric toothbrush, cordless waterpik and crest glide floss. I don't ever have to use any other brush with the waterpik.

A warning about CREST PRO HEALTH mouthwash, it will stain your teeth, search it on here or look on Amazon, the company even admits this will happen. Just a warning, you may not have issues but I would NEVER use it again after is stained my teeth.

The trick with floss threaders is to tie the floss to the end of the threader. I personally prefer superfloss, but if I'm in a bind I will use the floss threader.

I use a waterpik - I probably don't necessarily need it, but it's so easy to keep clean that way. I also have an Oral B Vitality toothbrush with the sensitive brush heads, and use regular old floss. I tried the threaders but got frustrated with how long they took, so I just started threading the floss under each wire. Works for me! Then I use fluoride, which ortho gave me although still not sure if I really need it? And that's it!

I have a sonicare electric toothbrush, but my ortho said he prefers me to use a manual brush as the vibration could loosen the bracket over time. Not sure I could handle the vibration on the teeth that are sensitive at any rate. Right now I brush with a regular brush morning, after lunch, and before bed. I also use an inter-dental brush and floss at night.