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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.

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 Improve 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. Here are a couple of things to remember:

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 orthodontia. 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, it becomes even more important during orthodontic treatment, as it is more difficult to reach in between teeth with a toothbrush. Your orthodontic specialist may recommend a floss threader to assist with flossing during treatment. Archwires used in orthodontic treatment can prevent floss from reaching the gumline. To reach the gumline, use a floss threader, which feeds one end of the floss under the wires and allows for proper cleaning between teeth. The floss threader should be used that prevent the fthrough the big end of the plastic threader. Your orthodontic specialist will have recommendations for proper flossing techniques during treatment.

Another alternative to floss is Opalpix, which offers a convenient and effective method for cleaning between teeth and around brackets and wires. Opalpix are thin plastic toothpicks that can navigate around corners to provide the same benefits of dental floss. 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 you regularly visit your dentist during orthodontic treatment. Dental visits help keep your child's teeth clean and ensure that plaque and other unwanted material missed by flossing and brushing is removed regularly, as well as benefitting from the other things dentists check for (e.g. cavities).

Fluoride Rinse:
Your dentist or orthodontist may recommend the use of a fluoride rinse during braces. 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 bleach or whiten teeth directly after treatment. Bleaching is a healthy method for children and adults, which removes protein 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 bleaching alternative that can start the whitening process before your child's braces are removed is Treswhite 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. Bleach travels below the surface of the tooth, so it will not leave spots where the braces are glued to the teeth. In fact, bleach whitens down to the dentin of the tooth.

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