Orthodontic treatment is a great way to get a straight smile, but brackets and wires are only some of the tools we use as we straighten your smile at Guymon Orthodontics. From flossing to protecting soft tissues, there is a wide range of modern solutions to any issue that may arise during your treatment. Try out these orthodontic products that can help during treatment to improve the orthodontic experience in our Logan and Hyrum offices.
#1: iTero Digital Scanner
You don’t have to worry about messy, goopy impressions, thanks to modern technology and digital scans. Our iTero scanner speeds up the impression process so you can start braces or Invisalign sooner.
The digital scanner also improves the accuracy of impressions, and because there is no physical mold, the scanner virtually eliminates the need for additional molds in the future.
At your first consultation with Dr. Guymon, we’ll use the iTero system to take a complete 3D picture of your smile. This picture helps us map out entire treatment plans from start to finish, so you’ll know the exact steps it will take to straighten your smile.
#2: Floss threaders
Keeping your teeth clean and healthy with brackets and wires crisscrossing your mouth can be difficult. Using floss threaders can help improve your ability to floss around the wires to ensure your smile stays white, bright, and hygienic.
These tools allow you to thread the floss between the teeth and around the brackets to get those hard-to-reach spots and remove leftover food particles, which prevents the sugar buildup that attracts cavities.
#3: Waterpik water flosser
Like floss threaders, the Waterpik works like a charm to eliminate unwanted food particles, harmful bacteria, and plaque buildup. Instead of using traditional floss to clean between the teeth, however, the Waterpik uses a stream of concentrated water to loosen up particles on your teeth.
The Waterpik works for anyone, whether they have braces or not, but it is an especially good tool if you have bulky brackets and wires. With so much extra surface space, braces can act as a catch-all for food and plaque. Using the Waterpik, you can “floss” between meals to remove excess buildup and improve the look of your smile.
#4: Orthodontic wax
Brackets can be uncomfortable for many patients. With their square edges, orthodontic appliances can dig into the soft tissue in the mouth, especially when patients are newer to treatment. That is why orthodontic wax is one of the best tools in your orthodontic toolkit.
Orthodontic wax works like a putty to round out the harsher bracket edges and make braces more comfortable. Wax can also cover poking wires to relieve irritation along the gum line or cheeks.
#5: Rubber bands
Rubber bands or orthodontic elastics help the Guymon Orthodontics team to realign the teeth and define the bite pattern. Rubber bands address problems caused by overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites by increasing the force applied to specific areas of the appliance.
Rubber bands come in all shapes and sizes and can be worn in many ways. You will receive the appropriate elastics from your orthodontist and instructions on how and when to wear them. It is important to remember to wear these elastics as instructed by Dr. Guymon to get the best results possible.
#6: Topical fluoride
Keeping the teeth clean with braces is much easier when you use a topical fluoride supplement. Fluoride is an excellent tool for rebuilding enamel that might have been exposed to harmful acids during treatment.
If you use a topical fluoride treatment, brush your teeth before applying it around bedtime. Wait to eat or drink for 30 minutes after application, and then leave it on your teeth for as long as possible. These extra treatments will give your teeth added strength and reinforce all of your hard work.
#7: Denture cleaner
If you’re wearing clear aligners to straighten your teeth, denture cleaner is a great way to keep your trays clean and clear. Toothpaste is too harsh for the soft material of clear aligners, so you’ll need to soak them for a little while each day to keep them clean.
A denture cleaner like Polident or Efferdent will rid the appliance of plaque buildup and harmful bacteria, leaving the trays tasting and smelling better than without the soak.
Straighten your smile with Guymon Orthodontics
We want to help you make the most of your orthodontic treatment, and these handy tools can help. To learn more about how braces or clear aligners can give you a healthier smile, contact our Logan or Hyrum office to schedule your free consultation. Your best smile is waiting!