Metal Mouth Message Board

How do you take care of your teeth in the morning and evening? What order do you do your steps in and do you do anything special for your hygiene?

I don't currently have braces. Here is my routine:

AM:
1. Rinse mouth with water.
2. Waterpik.
3. Use interdental brush for wide spaces.
4. Brush with xylitol/fluoride toothpaste.
5. Rinse with fluoride mouthwash.

PM:
1. Rinse with fluoride mouthwash.
2. C-shaped flossing with flat dental tape.
3. Use interdental brush for wide spaces.
4. Brush with xylitol/fluoride toothpaste.
5. No rinsing.

The main things I would see changing once I get braces would be using Waterpik at night too just to make sure all the food is out, and needing to either use a floss threader, super floss, or trying a floss pick.

My routine is a bit more relaxed..

AM
-Waterpik (occasionally)
-Brush teeth

PM
-Superfloss
-Waterpik (occasionally)
-Brush teeth
-Clean with interdental


My dentist says my teeth are in good shape.

rowo wrote:My routine is a bit more relaxed..


My dentist says my teeth are in good shape.

Looks like the only difference is mouthwash! Lots of dentists say that mouthwash isn't really necessary so I'm sure you're fine. I use it for the fluoride benefits since my OH wasn't great for many years.

Morning

-Brush
-Clean with interdental brushes
-Scrape tongue with Orabrush

Evening

-Brush
-Floss
-Clean with interdental brushes
-Mouthwash

Morning
mouthwash
brush

Evening
Waterpic
mouthwash
interdental brush
brush

parsleysage wrote:Looks like the only difference is mouthwash! Lots of dentists say that mouthwash isn't really necessary so I'm sure you're fine. I use it for the fluoride benefits since my OH wasn't great for many years.

Yep now that you mention it it is very similar. I didn't own a waterpik up until last week.
Tbh my oral hygiene wasn't the best before getting braces, but now that I have them on I feel so unsettled if I don't follow my routine.

I just brush.. floss as required and mouthwash when I remember :s

Why would you use Xylitol on your teeth?

Morning:
Rinse with mouth wash
Floss
Brush

Night:
Floss/interdental brushes
Rinse with mouth wash
Leave one hour and then brush teeth.

I've always been told that there's no point rinsing with mouth wash after you brush (by ortho) as your just washing away flouride from toothpaste?! Dunno how true this is but I follow my orthos advice lol

Leebie3 wrote: Why would you use Xylitol on your teeth?

I have been advised by multiple dentists that xylitol is great for your teeth! Basically it is a (totally natural) sugar alcohol that bacteria cannot process as food like they would with sugar. So when you expose your mouth to it (I use the toothpaste as well as mints after meals) you "starve" the bacteria. Fewer bacteria equals less plaque! Trident gum has xylitol in it - that is one of the reasons why it is good for your teeth after a meal and why orthos will tell pts with braces to chew it. I don't know if it is okay to put outside web links on this forum (don't want to be seen as a spammer!) but if you google dental benefits of xylitol you will get a lot of good info.

Morning
Brush

Evening
Brush
Waterpik
Sometimes interdental brush.

I don't use mouthwashes.
I use soft brushes.

oh wow! interesting! I'd never heard of it!.. I can't use it because I can't have anything ending in 'ol' I know you don't swallow it but it's not worth the reaction to my gut to risk it

Mine's the same for both morning and night (and often in the middle of the day):

1. remove silicone wax
2. use little dental stick to make sure that all wax is removed, and poke around other brackets
3. floss
4. WaterPik
5. brush
6. replace with fresh wax

AM: brush and rinse with water, sometimes ACT mouthwash

Midday: use those little brushes to clean any areas around brackets after eating, brush

PM: waterpik, floss with Super floss, brush, ACT mouthwash

My dentist has always told me to use ACT mouthwash. I do it at least once a day.

I use an Oral B electric toothbrush and have for 12 years. I will NEVER go back to a regular toothbrush. I'm complimented on my exceptional brushing every dental visit.

I get my teeth cleaned at the dentist every 6 months.

I had my first adjustment today and both the orthodontist and assistant were impressed with how clean my teeth are.

AM:
Before breakfast:
Swish coconut oil for 20 minutes, spit in trash.
Salt water rinse.

After breakfast:
Waterpik
Listerine Pre-Brush Rinse
Brush
Tiny Brush
Listerine Mouthwash

PM:
Waterpik
Listerine Pre-Brush Rinse
Brush
Tiny Brush
Floss
Listerine Mouthwash

It's a lot of work, but my dentist raves about how healthy my gums are. No gum disease, and no cavities! Plus I figure the healthier your gums are, the more your braces will be able to do their thing! Hoping to get these babies off permanently before my wedding in September.