Download YOU HAVE NOW BEEN FITTED WITH BRACES. There are several

YOU HAVE NOW BEEN FITTED WITH BRACES. There are several important points that you need to
know.
SORENESS OF TEETH
After the braces have been placed in your mouth, there may be some soreness in your teeth and they may
feel loose. This is nature telling you the teeth have started to move. You can use a simple pain remedy or
just wait for the soreness to go away. The inside of the cheeks and lips may become irritated for awhile.
Orthodontic wax can be used to relieve this discomfort.
EATING WITH BRACES
With care, you can probably eat most foods and do no damage to the braces however, we encourage you to
MINIMIZE sugar intake.
However, we would recommend you do your best to AVOID:
Gum
Sticky, chewy candy
Toffee, jelly beans, licorice etc.
Hard candies
Mints, lifesavers, etc.
Peanut brittle
Chocolate with nuts or toffee
Corn on the cob
popcorn
nuts
ice cubes
pretzels
bread sticks
pizza crust
grapes with seeds
nacho chips
Be careful with:
Food with bones – cut the meat off of the bone
Food with pits – remove pits (olives, cherries, peaches, nectarines, etc.)
Hard foods – cut in small or thin pieces (apples, pears, carrots, celery, crusty breads)
Without care, you may do damage by bending wires, breaking brackets off teeth and loosening cement
under bands. Should braces become loose or broken, please let us know as soon as possible and we will
schedule a repair appointment for you. Broken appliances that go unrepaired may cause damage (incorrect
tooth movement) and could lengthen treatment time.
CO-OPERATION
Successful treatment (straight healthy teeth) depends a lot on your co-operation. This means wearing
appliances, headgear and elastics as instructed; taking care not to break appliances/braces; reporting
breakages as soon as possible; and proper cleaning of teeth.
Page -2Help us to help you!
Please call if you have breakages, problems or questions. We are all here to make your orthodontic
experience as pleasant as possible.
APPOINTMENTS
Since most of our patients go to school, it is not possible to see everyone after school or in the evenings.
We will try to distribute late appointments fairly, but longer visits (placing braces, headgear, appliances,
repairs etc) must take place from 9am-4pm. When possible, we appreciate at least 24 hours notice if
appointments must be changed.
FAMILY DENTIST
Please remember to visit your regular dentist at least every 6 months while undergoing orthodontic
treatment. He/she will check your teeth, do any necessary work and clean your teeth thoroughly.
(THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!)
ROOT CANAL
A tooth that has been traumatized (injured) from a deep filling or a blow can die over a long period of time.
Occasionally, these undetected teeth flare up during orthodontic movement and require root canal treatment
(removing the dead nerve) by your family dentist or recommended specialist.
ROOT RESORPTION
During treatment, the tips of the roots of the teeth may be blunted or shortened. While some patients are
prone to this happening, most are not. Shortened roots are generally of no disadvantage under healthy
circumstances (good oral hygiene). Tooth life may be shortened if oral health (brushing) is poor.
PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
You may be able to solve many problems temporarily by yourself until you schedule a repair appointment
with our office. Broken appliances will delay your treatment if left unrepaired. Please notify our office
as soon as possible.
PROBLEM
LOOSE BAND OR BRACKET
LOSE TIEWIRE OR ELASTIC TIE
HOME SOLUTION
If band or bracket is still attached to wire, leave in place. If
this is uncomfortable, place wax on it. If it comes out
completely, wrap brace or bracket in tissue.
Try to place wire back in place with tweezers. If that is not
possible, clip wire with fingernail clippers behind last tooth to
which it is securely fastened. If any discomfort, place wax on
it.
Try to push the wire down with a spoon or eraser. If this is
not possible, place wax on it.
Notify us at next appointment.
SORENESS
Use warm salt water rinses and/or Ibuprofen.
RETAINER DOES NOT FIT
Sometimes caused by not wearing as prescribed. If you are
not able to wear your retainer because it is broken, or does not
fit properly, please call our office as soon as possible.
If appliance is sticking or poking, place wax on it.
LOOSE WIRE
POKING WIRE
LOOSE APPLIANCE