When we first apply your braces, your teeth are likely to feel sore for several days. Also, sometimes during treatment, your tongue or cheeks can become temporarily irritated. Paracetamol should relieve the discomfort. However, if anything sharp creates unusual pain, or if sores develop that don’t heal, please contact us.
Inspect your braces every time you brush your teeth to be sure no parts are loose or bent. If a bracket or band becomes loose, or if you break a wire, contact us, so we can arrange a brief appointment to repair the problem. Please be as specific as possible when you describe your situation to the receptionist, so she can respond appropriately. Also, if you lose your rubber bands, contact us immediately. You can pick-up a fresh supply at our office.
Always use common sense when choosing foods during treatment. It’s important to avoid hard, chewy and sticky foods that might break your brackets or wires. Also, remember that by nourishing yourself, you’ll promote bone growth and gum health, and you’ll protect tooth enamel from cavities. It’s equally important to curb habits such as nail biting and pen or pencil chewing, because this can damage your braces.
Excellent dental hygiene is an essential aspect of your treatment, because braces make it much more difficult to keep your teeth clean. Food easily compacts inside the brackets and between your teeth. If you don’t pay attention, plaque can form on your teeth – causing decay, gum disease or permanent white discolorations.
The only way to remove food residue and plaque is by brushing properly after every meal and flossing daily.
Applying firm pressure with a soft toothbrush, make small circular patterns above and below each bracket, at a 45-degree angle to your teeth. Be prepared to replace toothbrushes more frequently – whenever the bristles become frayed.
A Waterpik can be a useful addition to your manual routine, but it doesn’t remove the sticky plaque that adheres to teeth. Electric toothbrushes are excellent. They clean teeth very thoroughly, when used as directed. Also, if you have difficulties handling floss directly, we recommend reusable floss threaders or superfloss.
Elastics (rubber bands) attach to your braces – exerting gentle, constant pressure that slowly moves teeth into correct position. For the force to remain constant, you must wear elastics continuously, and change them once a day. If elastics aren’t always in place, you’re treatment is likely to be prolonged. For best results, follow these guidelines:
