Brushing

You will notice that it is much harder to keep your teeth clean with braces. Food compacts in the brackets and between your teeth, and can only be removed by brushing and flossing. If plaque remains on the teeth for any length of time, it will leave a permanent white marks on the surface of the teeth. Brushing after meals should become part of your daily schedule.

Use a soft toothbrush with firm pressure and brush at a 45 degree angle to the tooth; brush in small circles above and below the brackets. Click here for visual instructions. Your toothbrush will wear out faster because of your appliances, so be sure to replace it whenever the bristles start to fray. A waterpik can be a useful addition but it cannot remove the sticky plaque that adheres to the teeth. Mechanical toothbrushes are great, but are not necessary. Our office offers these brushes at a reasonable cost. Flossing is important and should be done everyday.

Eating Habits

During orthodontics certain foods need to be avoided in order not to damage your appliances, which will delay treatment. In general, you need to avoid hard and sticky foods, but if you think that maybe you shouldn’t eat something then don’t eat it.

Please do not eat hard foods: nuts, ice, crisp taco shells, bagels, pizza crusts, Doritos, pretzels, whole apples and carrots (cut them into pieces first), hard French bread crust and rolls, spareribs, corn on the cob (cut the corn off the cob before eating), and popcorn! These foods risk breaking brackets and wires.

Please do not eat sticky foods: taffy, caramels, bubble gum, Sugar Daddies, Starbursts, caramel apples, Sugar Babies, licorice, toffee, Tootsie Rolls, Now & Laters, or sticky candy of any sort.

Also beware of nail biting and pen or pencil chewing habits, since these can damage your braces.

Patients should try to eat less overall sugar. That means eating less: candy, ice cream, cake, cookies, pie, and soda

Braces

Check your braces at night when you brush your teeth for anything loose or bent. If a bracket or band comes loose or you break a wire, please call our office so that we can arrange an appointment to repair it.

If you lose your rubber bands, call us so we can mail you some more or drop by the office and pick some up.

Sore Teeth

After braces are placed or an adjustment to your braces is made it is normal for the teeth to be sore for about 2 or 3 days. Tylenol or Advil will help relieve this discomfort. Some irritation to the cheeks and tongue is normal, but if you feel anything sharp is poking you or any sores are developing, please call our office at (614) 932-9356.

Elastics

Attached to your braces, elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn all the time and changed every day. Any time missed in wearing your elastics will only make your treatment take longer, so remember these things:

1. You are responsible for placing the elastics on your braces. Make sure to wear them as instructed. Remove them when brushing your teeth or eating. Then put new elastics back on immediately.
2. Always carry a few elastics with you, so if one breaks you can replace it right away. If your supply is low, call the office and we will mail you an additional supply of elastics.
3. If you forget to insert your elastics one day, don't double up the next day- just follow your regular instructions.
4. Elastics become worn out. When they lose their elasticity, they don't provide the proper pressure on your teeth and jaws. Therefore replace them with new ones each time you remove them.

If your elastics break frequently, a wire or band loosens, or a hook breaks off - call our office immediately. Don't wait until your next appointment. These problems need to be corrected as soon as possible!

Removable Appliances

1. The removable appliance is carefully designed to move or to hold your teeth. It is important that it is worn according to instructions and brought to each appointment.
2. Appliance may be removed while eating, swimming, or playing vigorous sports activities, and when brushing your teeth. In two or three days your speech will return to normal with the appliance in place. Avoid flipping your appliance with your tongue. This can cause damage to your teeth or breakage of your appliance.
3. Your new appliance may make your teeth sore for a day or two, especially after an adjustment. If you have a sore spot on your gums call our office so that we can adjust the appliance.
4. Clean your appliance by brushing it daily with toothpaste. Denture cleaner can also be used for a more thorough cleaning
5. Never wrap your appliance in a paper napkin or tissue and set it down on the table. You or someone else may throw it away. Don't put it in your pocket when playing or you may break or lose it. Whenever it is not in your mouth it should be in its plastic appliance case.
6. Keep your appliance away from dogs or cats as they love to chew on them. Avoid storing them near any source of heat. Do not boil your retainer to sterilize it! If needed, bring it to the office and we will be happy to disinfect it for you.
7. An additional charge will be incurred for lost or broken appliances.