Oral Hygiene for the Orthodontic Patient

   

We discussed proper oral hygiene for our orthodontic patients in a previous newsletter, but we would like to take the time to reiterate the importance of it. We know it is important for our orthodontic patients to visit the orthodontist regularly, but it is just as important to visit the dentist on a regular basis as well. We want to ensure your child receives the optimal outcome from their orthodontic experience. We have exceptional instruments and tools that are used to clean around braces. Our air-powder polishing system is proven to remove up to 100% of bacteria, along with stains, plaque and other deposits on the teeth. It also aids in the healing of swollen gums due to poor oral hygiene. If your child is brought into our office on a regular schedule, we can keep an eye on any arising concerns and catch any problems before they get too far out of control. We also educate our patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and diet to make sure the braces and your child's overall oral health stays in the best possible shape.

 

Our orthodontic patients should be brushing and flossing the same as any of our other patients, just with a few tweaks added to the routine. Brushing should be done on a twice a day basis. At our office, we recommend using fluoridated toothpaste like Crest Pro-Health. To ensure the healthiest mouth, children should be brushing not only twice a day, but also after meals as well. We want to cut down on the amount of time food lingers in the mouth. Braces collect food very easily, which aids in plaque formation. If brushing after every meal is not possible, the mouth should at least be rinsed with water, removing some of the food trapped between brackets. It is also very important to use a soft-bristle toothbrush and brush for at least two minutes each time.

 

Flossing is another vital part of proper oral hygiene. There is special floss made for orthodontic patients called superfloss and a proxybrush. The superfloss easily threads through and underneath brackets, removing food particles stuck in between. It also greatly helps keep gums healthy. The use of a small proxybrush helps to remove plaque from around the brackets and at the gumline. It is also known as an interdental cleaner or Christmas Tree brush, due to its shape. As children grow into their teenage years and older, the chances increase for getting gum disease and other gum infections. Flossing is a must to prevent this.

 

Drs. Herer, Patenio and Younger may also recommend your child uses a fluoride rinse to protect and strengthen the teeth while in braces. This can be discussed at your child's next dental visit. Diet restrictions are the same for our patients in braces and those who are not. Sticky, gooey foods, very hard candy, pop and all other foods/beverages that would fall into this category can not only devastate the teeth, but can also break braces as well. A well-balanced diet and proper oral hygiene are essential for a healthy mouth and positive orthodontic outcome.  

Snacking

   

Snacking is a major contributor to tooth decay, especially if it is done on a constant basis. Even if the snacks are not considered 'unhealthy', the constant exposure to different foods or drinks is what increases the chance of getting cavities. The focus is not necessarily on the amount of junk food a child eats, but more so how often they eat them. We understand children are going to have sweet foods or drinks at some point, but the main concern is limiting the frequency of consumption.

 

Some healthy snacks we recommend consuming are fiber-rich fruits and vegetables and dairy products like cheese, milk and plain yogurt. All of these foods increase saliva flow, which acts as a defense against cavities and gum disease. Certain products in dairy foods, for example the calcium in cheese and phosphates in milk, help re-mineralize the teeth. Snacks such as pretzels, chips, goldfish crackers and gummy bears are no good for the teeth. Starches like crackers and pretzels actually turn into sugars when combined with saliva in the mouth. This is why we do not want to eat these types of food products too often. Starchy foods actually get stuck in the mouth and linger for an extended period of time. This highly increases the chance of getting tooth decay. Candy and any other sticky treats are a more obvious no-no for children to consume. These types of products should be provided to children on a very minimal basis to lower the chance of developing tooth decay.

 

  What children drink can also greatly affect their oral health. Juice, chocolate milk and pop are some of the main culprits of tooth decay. The ingredients in these products can rot away the tooth enamel if consumed too often. The key is limiting the frequency of drinking these products and promoting the consumption of water. If your child is going to drink juice for example, it should be diluted with water. Also, toddlers should consume juice from sippy cups with meals only. Water should be offered in between. Pop, and other beverages like it, should be very limited and saved for special occasions only.  

  

 Food Drive 

  

CDG is hosting a food drive for the Northern Illinois Food Bank again this year! Throughout the winter, you can drop off non-perishable food items during our regular business hours. During these difficult economic times the food bank can use all the donations they can get. Please consider helping out with any food donations you can manage. Every little bit helps.  

 Candy Buy Back Update                                   

                                                                                                                    

We succeeded in collecting over 530 pounds of candy this year to send to Operation Gratitude! This organization sends care packages to our military troops, which includes the candy we collected, along with toothbrushes, toothpaste and other necessities. We would like to send a special thank you to Holt Dental for being a partner and sponsor to us. Thank you to all our patients, their families and everyone else who contributed to the cause!  

Please Don't Be Bashful

 

If you have any questions regarding pediatric dental health, please feel free to contact us by phone: 847-726-0300 or by email: info@childrensdentistrygroup.com. If you have a family member or friend with a child, please feel free to forward this newsletter to them. Thank you.

 

We wish everyone a wonderful winter & holiday season!

  

Sincerely,