Orthodontic Products That Can Help During Treatment

At Williams & Hamman Orthodontics, we have really seen it all when it comes to orthodontics. We have been practicing in the Southaven and Olive Branch area for over 30 years, so we know a thing or two about how to take care of our patients to help them enjoy their straight and healthy smiles. We also know that sometimes what a patient needs is a product that can help them clean their teeth more easily, or keep them more comfortable during treatment!

If you are currently undergoing orthodontic treatment or are considering it in the future, then these product suggestions might be just what you need to set you up for success with your treatment! If you have any questions about whether a certain product will work for you or if it’s worth the cost, you can always give our office a call and get an expert opinion!

Does Everyone Need Special Products?

The first thing you should know when getting started with your treatment is that each person’s experience will be different. One person may need to use all of these products to have a healthy and comfortable treatment, and another might not need to use any! Just pay attention to what your body needs and consult with Dr. Williams or Dr. Hamman to see what might work for you. 

Also, you will see that we have sorted our recommendations based on whether you are wearing braces of some kind, or if you are using aligners. Your needs will vary drastically depending on which treatment you are doing, so make a note!

Products for Braces

wax

Dental wax can be a huge lifesaver during those first few days and weeks of braces when your mouth and skin feel sore or raw while getting used to the metal brackets and wires. This is super normal and usually doesn’t last long. Dental wax can be really helpful by creating a barrier between the braces and your mouth, giving your skin a chance to recover. 

Simply pinch off a small amount of wax and roll it into a ball with your hand. This will warm the wax up and soften it. Then press it against the bracket that is irritating you, and you should feel some sweet relief! Change your wax often, and grab more at our office the next time you come in for an appointment.

floss threader or water flosser

Flossing can be a fairly big challenge to overcome when you first get your braces. The first and easiest tool you should try first is a floss threader. This is a small plastic device that works like a needle and thread to pull floss under your wires so that you can floss each tooth. It’s easy to get the hang of, and you’ll be flossing like a pro in no time! 

Another option for people that have a tough time with floss is a water flosser. This is a handheld device that shoots a jet of water that you guide between each tooth to loosen up and remove stuck-on food particles and plaque. It’s a great alternative that many dentists agree works just as well as flossing as long as you are consistent! 

electric toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes and braces go great together! The small, round, rotating head of an electric toothbrush can fit perfectly over each bracket, scrubbing out trapped plaque and food, and giving you an even deeper clean. Of course, you should be gentle to avoid dislodging any wires, but generally, these are known to be a safe addition to your brace cleaning routine. 

Products for Clear Aligners

cases

If you are going to have success with Invisalign treatment, you have to wear your retainers consistently! Seems simple, right? But it’s not simple at all if you keep losing or breaking your retainers on accident. That’s where cases come in! It’s a good idea to keep a retainer case on hand at all times so that you’re prepared to safely remove and store them when eating or drinking. Keep one in your purse, backpack, lunch box…whatever you need to do to have one when you need one!

cleaning solutions

While scrubbing your retainers out with a toothbrush and gentle cleanser once a day is often enough to keep your retainer clean, that isn’t always the case, especially if this is a retainer that you wear consistently over time. In that case, you may find that your retainer needs deeper cleaning. 

To get them clean, all you need to do is buy a denture or retainer cleaning soak at your local pharmacy. After soaking your retainer, you should be able to get it nice and clean with a light scrub and rinse! Use this treatment method as often as you need to in order to keep those retainers–and teeth–sparkling clean! 

Let Us Support You!

We hope this list of products was helpful, but it wasn’t exhaustive! There are many items that may support your treatment, and in that case, you can just reach out to our team at Williams & Hamman to help you solve your orthodontic problems and keep your teeth clean and healthy throughout your treatment. Give one of our offices in Southaven or Olive Branch a call and we’ll schedule you for an appointment, or set you up with a free first assessment if you are just getting started. We hope to see you in our office soon!