Set Yourself Up for Success
For the best results, take excellent care of your teeth and gums during your orthodontic treatment. Brush at least twice per day, floss at least once each day, and be sure to avoid sticky and sugary foods. In addition to your orthodontic visits, keep up with regular dental cleanings to keep your smile healthy and happy. Our office will provide you with the oral hygiene tools to succeed. As always, we’re here for you. Reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Oral Hygiene Tips
Brushing
Brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes after every meal with a soft-bristled, small-headed toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. Brush the outside and inside surfaces of your teeth using small, gentle circular motions while positioning the head of the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line. Brush your teeth’s chewing surfaces and the inside surface of your front teeth using short, gentle back-and-forth motions. Pay close attention to the areas around your brackets or other appliances.
Flossing with Braces
Flossing after every meal will help keep your teeth and braces clean, which will also help keep your treatment time on track. To floss with braces, use a floss threader or special orthodontic floss to thread the floss behind each wire. Wrap the ends of the floss around your pointer fingers of both hands, leaving a few inches of taut floss between them. Gently slide the floss between each set of teeth using a back and forth motion. Floss the sides of each tooth beneath the gum line to remove plaque and food particles.
Caring for Your Retainer
Whether you have a removable or fixed retainer, it’s important to wear your retainer consistently after your teeth have been straightened. Your retainer helps maintain your beautiful new smile by preventing your teeth from gradually shifting back to their original positions. To keep your retainer in great condition, clean it daily using a soft toothbrush and cool water. You can also use a small amount of mild liquid soap for a more thorough clean. Avoid using hot water, as it can warp the material and affect the fit of your retainer. When not in use, store it safely in its case to keep it clean and protected.
Emergency Care
If you experience an orthodontic emergency, call us to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem. In the meantime, here are ways you can manage discomfort or make temporary adjustments at home before your visit:
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General Soreness
When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth, and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. Stick to a soft diet until your teeth don’t hurt when you chew. Irritated gums and other sore spots can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in eight ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil), whatever you would normally take for a headache or similar pain.
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Loose Appliance
If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part.
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Loose Bracket
If your bracket or band is loose but still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it if needed for comfort. If the bracket or band can be removed easily from the wire, place it in an envelope and save it.
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Loose Wire
Using a pair of tweezers or needle-nosed pliers, try to put your wire back into place. If you can’t get the wire into a comfortable position, and covering the end with wax doesn’t help, as a last resort use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it’s securely fastened. If the end of the wire is still sharp, place wax on it.
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Poking Wire
Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it so that it’s no longer poking.
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Headgear
Sometimes discomfort is caused by not wearing the headgear as instructed. If the facebow (metal piece) is bent, please call our office for assistance. The headgear should hurt less the more it’s worn, so be sure you get in the prescribed number of hours.
