ARE YOU NEW TO BRACES AND ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?
If so, you probably have quite a few questions regarding personal care and maintenance. This week we thought it would be nice to provide all of our braces patients with an “At Home” guide.
So, here is a list of everything you need to know about taking care of your braces when you’re away from our office!
Food: We recommend avoiding hard foods such as nuts, ice, whole apples, carrots, popcorn, ribs, taffy, caramels, bubble gum, etc. Each of these items put your brackets and wires at risk. Also beware of nail biting and pencil chewing―they can damage your braces as well.
Maintenance: Check your braces about once a week to make sure no wires or brackets are loose or bent. If you do have a broken or loose wire, please contact us to set up an appointment.
Elastics: If Dr. Gemmi or Dr. Middleberg has given you elastics to wear with your braces, it is your responsibility to make sure they are worn constantly and changed everyday. Elastics should only be removed when brushing your teeth after meals, and they should be put back on immediately. Always be sure to carry a few extra elastics with you in case one breaks and needs to be replaced. If you forget your elastics one day, double them up the next day. Once again, be sure to change your rubber bands everyday even if they aren’t broken―they wear down and lose their elasticity, causing them to weaken and provide less pressure. Contact our practice if you need more elastics!
Sore Teeth: It is normal to experience some soreness for about 2-3 days after receiving your braces. Some patients also find themselves with some irritation to their cheeks and tongue. Tylenol or Advil will both help relieve this pain.
Daily Oral Hygiene: Brushing and flossing are critical in the maintenance of your teeth and gums during your orthodontic treatment. Braces provide more places for food to get trapped, so give your teeth extra attention when cleaning them each day. Plaque and tartar can cause your gums to swell, cavities to arise, and white scars to appear on the surfaces of your teeth. Also, if you have cemented appliances, don’t forget to use a fluoride rinse daily.
If you have any additional questions regarding your orthodontic treatment, please don’t hesitate to give us a call! We look forward to seeing your straight new smile!
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