AndyOHI | Pro-approved Oral Hygiene Instructions
Quick tips + One stop guide with trusted products to help you care for your specific dental needs at home - just like I showed you chairside.
Your Mouth Matters!
Gum disease has been linked to heart problems, diabetes, and more—so caring for your mouth is caring for your health.✅ Brush 2x a day (2 minutes each)
✅ Floss once a day
✅ Use a tongue scraper
✅ Rinse with mouthwash
↓ START WITH BASICS ↓
Gum disease
Orthodontics
Braces = Extra Care, Bigger Rewards!
Orthodontics help you get a beautiful smile—but they also make it easier for plaque and calculus to build up. That’s why extra effort is a must while wearing braces or clear aligners!⚠️ Why It Matters:
Brackets, wires, and retainers trap food and plaque.
Without proper care, this can lead to:-Swollen, bleeding gums-White spots (decalcification)-Bad breath and calculus buildup-Delays in treatment💦 Your Ortho Routine:
✅ Brush after every meal (2 minutes!)
✅ Floss daily (use floss threaders or Waterpik)
✅ Use a tongue scraper
✅ Rinse with mouthwash (antibacterial or fluoride)
✅ Use ortho wax if needed to protect soft tissuesThe better you clean, the faster you heal, and the more amazing your final smile will be!
Permanent Retainers
Got a Permanent Retainer? Keep It Extra Clean!
A permanent (lingual) retainer is glued behind your teeth to keep them straight after braces—but it also makes it easier for plaque and tartar to hide if you’re not cleaning it well every day.⚠️ Why Retainer Care Matters:
-Plaque and calculus build up fast behind the wire-Can cause gum inflammation, recession, or even cavities on back teeth-If it gets too dirty, it may need to be removed early💦 Your Retainer Routine:
✅ Brush behind your teeth carefully with a small toothbrush or electric head
✅ Use floss threaders or superfloss to clean under the wire
✅ A Waterpik helps flush out trapped plaque and food
✅ Rinse with mouthwash to kill bacteria
✅ See your hygienist regularly—they’ll check and clean under the wireThis little wire does a big job—so keeping it clean keeps your smile straight and healthy!
Crowns
Got a Crown? Keep It Clean & Strong!
Dental crowns protect your tooth—but the tooth underneath still needs daily care. If plaque builds up at the gumline, it can cause decay, bad breath, or even crown failure.⚠️ Why Crown Care Matters:
-Bacteria can sneak under the edge (margin) of the crown-Gum inflammation or bone loss can happen if ignored-Poor hygiene can lead to expensive repairs💦 Your Crown Routine:
✅ Brush 2x daily with a soft toothbrush
✅ Floss carefully around the crown daily (use superfloss or floss threaders if needed)
✅ Use a water flosser for deep cleaning
✅ Rinse with fluoride mouthwash
✅ See your hygienist regularly to check marginsYour crown may be artificial—but your gums and roots are real. Let’s keep them healthy for life!
Bridges
Got a Dental Bridge? Keep It Clean Underneath!
A dental bridge fills the gap where teeth are missing—but food and plaque can easily get trapped under the false tooth (pontic). Cleaning under the bridge is just as important as brushing the top!⚠️ Why Bridge Care Matters:
-Food and bacteria can collect under the bridge
-If not cleaned, it can lead to bad breath, gum disease, or even bone loss
-The teeth holding the bridge (abutments) can fail without proper hygiene
💦 Your Bridge Routine:
✅ Brush 2x daily like normal
✅ Use a Waterpik daily to flush under the pontic
✅ Thread superfloss under the bridge to clean the base
✅ Use a proxy brush (interdental brush) if the gap allows
✅ Rinse with mouthwash to reduce bacteria
✅ Get professional cleanings regularly!Your bridge is strong—but only if the foundation stays clean. A few extra seconds a day keeps it lasting for years!
Implants
Dental Implants Need Daily Care, Too!
Implants may be artificial, but the gums and bone around them are very real—and still need daily cleaning to stay healthy. Plaque can build up around implants just like natural teeth.⚠️ Why Implant Care Matters:
-Bacteria can cause peri-implantitis (like gum disease around an implant)-Inflammation can lead to bone loss and even implant failure-Implants can look and feel great for life—but only with good hygiene💦 Your Implant Routine:
✅ Brush 2x daily with a soft electric toothbrush
✅ Use a Waterpik or oral irrigator to flush around the implant
✅ Clean between implants with superfloss, interdental brushes, or rubber picks
✅ Rinse daily with antibacterial mouthwash
✅ Visit your hygienist for regular checkups and cleanings!Think of your implant like a Ferrari: high-performance, but only if you keep it clean and well-maintained!
Dry mouth
Got Dry Mouth? Let’s Keep It Moist & Healthy!
Dry mouth (xerostomia) may not seem serious, but it can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and discomfort. Saliva protects your teeth—and without enough, your mouth is at risk.⚠️ Why Dry Mouth Matters:
-Saliva washes away bacteria and acids-Without it, you’re more likely to get cavities, gum disease, and burning sensations-Dentures may not fit or feel right without moisture-Talking, eating, and sleeping can become uncomfortable💦 Your Dry Mouth Routine:
✅ Sip water often (especially before meals and bed)
✅ Use a saliva substitute spray or gel throughout the day
✅ Try sugar-free lozenges or gum with xylitol to stimulate saliva
✅ Use dry-mouth toothpaste and alcohol-free mouthwash
✅ Avoid caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol—they dry you out!
✅ Sleep with a humidifier if your mouth feels dry overnightKeeping your mouth moist helps protect your smile—and makes life a lot more comfortable!
Dentures
Wearing Dentures? Clean Them Like Real Teeth!
Even though dentures aren’t natural teeth, plaque, food, and bacteria still stick to them—and can affect your gums, breath, and overall health.⚠️ Why Denture Care Matters:
-Dirty dentures can cause bad breath, gum infections, or mouth sores-Plaque buildup can lead to fungal infections (like thrush)-Poor care can shorten the life of your dentures or make them fit poorly💦 Your Denture Routine:
✅ Remove and rinse dentures after eating
✅ Brush them daily with a soft denture brush (no toothpaste—it’s too abrasive!)
✅ Soak dentures overnight in a denture cleaning solution
✅ Brush your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth every morning
✅ Never sleep with dentures in (unless your dentist says otherwise)Clean dentures = clean mouth, fresh breath, and a healthier smile—no matter your age!
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