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In case you wanted to know a little bit more about Gishy Goo and oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment, we created this section for you.

What is Gishy Goo?
Gishy Goo is made of a poly-vinyl-siloxane (PVS) elastomer that has been used for decades by dentists to take impressions of teeth. PVS material does not shrink and holds its shape for days, making it a great solution for helping patients (both young and old) get comfortable with their braces. Once Gishy Goo is mixed and put in place, it protects the lips and cheeks throughout the day until it is removed. When Gishy Goo sets up, it is still soft enough to allow for the tooth movements that the doctor has designed into the braces, so it will not slow down treatment or create any unwanted side effects.

Gishy Goo is completely safe. If swallowed, it will pass through the digestive system unnoticed. The instructions include a list of precautions that should be followed during use of Gishy Goo. Click here for the step by step instructions

Gishy Goo is dispensed in a double-barreled syringe that has two parts: a catalyst and a base. The catalyst is the bright white colored material, and the base is the material in the other barrel of the syringe (the base comes in different colors). The base and the catalyst are kept in different barrels to keep them from reacting. When the plunger is depressed, a small amount of the catalyst and base are expressed from both barrels of the syringe. These two materials should be mixed thoroughly between the finger and thumb for about 10 seconds, which starts the chemical reaction. Then simply place the mixed Gishy Goo around the wire or bracket where there is discomfort and allow it to set up in about two minutes. Gishy Goo will stay in place better if it is carefully molded around the brackets and wires rather than just placed over them.

How can I Encourage Good Oral Hygiene During Treatment?
Oral hygiene is a critical component of the orthodontic process. During orthodontic treatment, the teeth are more susceptible to plaque and decay because there are more places for bacterial to hide. Nothing can frustrate orthodontic treatment more than tooth decay caused by poor oral hygiene. For the best outcome of your child’s treatment, it is important that good hygiene habits are created and maintained throughout treatment.

Brushing:
Ideally, the patient should brush after every meal with a soft bristle toothbrush. Brushing in the morning and at night before going to bed are very important routines to maintain during treatment. It may be difficult to get your child to brush after every meal during the day. Developing an oral hygiene reward system at the beginning of treatment that works with your child’s behavior will greatly improve the outcome of the investment you are making in your child’s oral health.

The Smilebrush is a good example of a toothbrush that is soft enough to get around braces, yet resilient enough to remove bio-debris from the tooth and orthodontic appliances. Your orthodontic specialist can provide you with several options when selecting a proper toothbrush during treatment.

Flossing:
Flossing is one of the keys to maintaining proper oral health, both during and after orthodontic treatment. However, flossing becomes even more important during orthodontic treatment, as it is more difficult to reach in between teeth with a toothbrush. Archwires used in orthodontic treatment can prevent floss from reaching the gumline. To reach the gumline, your orthodontist may recommend using a floss threader, which feeds one end of the floss under the wires and allows for proper cleaning between teeth. Your orthodontic specialist will have recommendations for proper flossing techniques during treatment.

In addition to floss, Opalpix offer a convenient and effective method for cleaning between teeth and around brackets and wires. Opalpix are thin plastic toothpicks that can navigate around corners and in tight spaces. Opalpix can be easily carried in a pocket or purse. Click here to read about the features of Opalpix.

Checkups:
It is vitally important that your child regularly visits your dentist during orthodontic treatment. Dental visits help keep your child’s teeth healthy and ensure that plaque and other unwanted material missed by flossing and brushing are removed regularly.

Fluoride Rinse:
Your dentist or orthodontist may recommend the use of a fluoride rinse during orthodontic treatment. This rinse is to help ensure that your child’s teeth continue to look their best. Your dental professional is trying to avoid the appearance of white spots on your child’s teeth. This process called decalcification is somewhat common during treatment and is usually preventable with good overall oral hygiene and a fluoride rinse.

Whitening:
A growing trend in orthodontics is to whiten teeth directly after treatment. Tooth whitening is healthy for children and adults; it removes stains that build up on teeth over time. There are many methods to whiten teeth. Your dentist and orthodontist can provide you with several alternatives.

One whitening alternative that can be used before your child’s braces are removed is Trèswhite Ortho. Bleach used on teeth consists of hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, which breaks down stains and kills all bacteria on the tooth—in the same way hydrogen peroxide disinfects a cut finger or a scrape on the knee. The peroxide molecules travels below the surface of the tooth, whitening the entire tooth, all the way down to the dentin, so you won’t have to worry about the treatment leaving dark spots where the braces are glued to the teeth.

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