Caring For Your Teeth

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 scar on the surface. Brushing after meals should become part of your daily schedule.

While you are wearing braces, please do not eat sticky food such as:
• Caramels
• Chewing gum
• Sugar Daddies and Sugar Babies
• Starbursts
• Caramel Apples
• Licorice
• Toffee
• Tootsie Rolls
• Skittles
...or hard foods like:
• Jolly Ranchers
• Jaw Breakers
• Lollipops
• Nuts
• Apples (unless cut up)
• Pizza Crusts
• Carrots (uncooked, unless cut up)
• Pretzels

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 several times a day. Any time missed in wearing your elastics will only make your treatment take longer, so remember these things:

You are responsible for placing the elastics on your braces between appointments. Make sure to wear them as instructed. Remove them only when brushing your teeth, gums and braces after meals. Then put your elastics back on immediately.

Always carry a bag of 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.

If you forget to insert your elastics one day, don't double up the next day- just follow your regular instructions.

Elastics become worn out. When they lose their elasticity, they don't provide the proper pressure on your teeth and jaws. It is very important to change them as directed, even when they are not broken.

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

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.

Wear your appliance at all times, even while you are asleep. It may be removed while eating, swimming, or playing vigorous sports activities. 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.

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.

Clean your appliance by brushing it daily with toothpaste. Denture cleaner (e.g., Efferdent and Retainer Brite) can also be used for a more thorough cleaning. If you are wearing a bonded wire retainer behind your front teeth, be extra careful to clean the wire and the area around it. Flossing should be done every day.

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.

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.

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