The Ortho Essentials Program
We know that good oral hygiene is more challenging during the orthodontic treatment process.
That’s why we feel very strongly about the Ortho Essentials program for our patients!
The Ortho Essentials program is a three-step oral hygiene program designed to boost oral health and hygiene practices in orthodontic patients. The day our patients get their braces on, our team will go over the importance of what foods to avoid, proper handling of emergencies, and proper oral hygiene techniques. In order to help with proper hygiene our patients will receive the Ortho Essentials kit and be started in our Ortho Essentials oral hygiene program.
The Ortho Essentials kit comes with an easy to follow 5-level rating system ranging from poor to excellent that illustrates each rating level so our office team and patients have a standard to compare oral hygiene. At each office visit, our team will rate our patients brushing by using the 5-level rating system and fill out a report card for the patient to bring home. We will also discuss the rating the patient received at each of their appointments. If the patient receives 3 or more poor level ratings, a letter will be sent home and a copy will be sent to your general dentist.
Each patient kit includes the Oral-B Triumph power toothbrush with a SmartGuide wireless display to provide feedback on brushing time and technique, along with Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste and Rinse to help reduce plaque and gingivitis.
Topical Fluoride
Prevident 5000 Booster is a prescription strength fluoridated toothpaste that helps prevent tooth decay while you are wearing braces. This special toothpaste kills the bacteria and replaces the minerals within the tooth enamel that have been exposed to harmful acids. Prevident 5000 Booster may substitute your regular toothpaste at bedtime since it has over 4.5 times the fluoride than regular toothpaste. Place a small amount of Prevident on your toothbrush, brush as normal, expel the remaining out of your mouth. Do not rinse. It is important for the active ingredient to remain on your teeth, therefore do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes. Follow your regular toothbrushing habits in the morning with your regular toothpaste.
Antibacterial Mouthwash
Peroxyl, a hydrogen peroxide antiseptic mouth rinse, will reduce inflammation to your gums and cheeks. Peroxyl helps to prevent infection and decrease irritation that may develop from your braces. Rinse your mouth with two teaspoons of Peroxyl (half a capful) for one minute and then spit it out. You may use Peroxyl up to four times daily following your schedule for brushing: after meals (or after school) and before bed. Just like using peroxide for a scrape on your skin, Peroxyl helps the inside of your mouth heal. Peroxyl can be used for general irritation caused by your braces or for canker sores, cheek bites and other minor temporary injuries to the gums.
Interdental Toothbrush
A Proxabrush is an interdental (between the teeth) toothbrush that you may use to clean underneath and around your wires and braces. Use the Proxabrush gently to avoid damaging your wires. The Proxabrush will help you to clean your braces while maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Cleaning Your Removable Appliance
Brush your removable appliance every day as a part of your regular brushing and flossing schedule. Because food particles and plaque can accumulate on your appliance just as they do on your teeth, soak the appliance daily. Dissolve a Polident, Efferdent or other denture-cleaning tablet in a glass of tap water at room temperature and soak your appliance once every day. Your appliance will taste better, and you will prevent plaque and bacterial accumulation.
Our team consists of highly motivated and well-trained professionals with over 30 years of experience in the dental and orthodontic field, we continually update our systems, equipment and training so that our patients have the best available care.