Current Patients

Helpful reminders for our current patients on how to care for their appliances and their smiles!

BRACES

Wax:

Wax can be used to protect the mouth from brackets or wires that may be causing irritation. If there is a poking wire, or an area on the cheek that is sore where a bracket is, you can place wax on the bracket.

Suck air through teeth to get the bracket as dry as possible and then place a pea sized amount of wax onto the bracket.
Push gently onto the bracket to help wax stay connected.
Wax may come off while eating/drinking and may need to be replaced.

Brushing:

Each patient is given 2 brushes to use during treatment. A small “christmas tree”/Proxy brush and a regular toothbrush.

Christmas Tree Brush:

Use every morning and evening minimum along with regular brushing.
Christmas tree brush is to be used BEFORE the regular toothbrush to brush around each individual bracket. This brush can reach the hard spots that regular toothbrushes may struggle to get to.

Regular Toothbrush:

1. Fill toothbrush completely with fluoride toothpaste

2. Coat teeth with toothpaste

3. Brush for 2 minutes. Spit.

4. IF you need to rinse, add a small amount of water and rinse for 30 seconds. Then spit.

5. NO rinsing, eating, or drinking for 2 hours

Foods to Avoid with Braces:

Hard
Sticky
Chewy

NO GUM, HARD CANDIES, SUCKERS, STICKY CANDIES, CARAMEL, ICE, JERKY

Apples, Carrots, Celery, Pizza, Hard breads, Chips, Corn on Cob, etc. can still be eaten: cut into small pieces using back teeth to chew.

Cut meat off bone to eat with back teeth

Do not chew on pencils, pens, fingers etc.

Do not open packages with teeth (use scissors)

Broken Brackets:

A broken bracket will move along the wire. If uncomfortable, please contact our office to schedule a time to have taken care of. If the bracket is in the front, it may need to be addressed soon. If the broken bracket is in the back, it could potentially wait until the next scheduled appointment. Please contact our office to discuss your specific need to determine when it would be best to be seen.

Routine Care:

● See your General Dentist every 6 months for exams and cleanings during treatment.

● Brush and Floss Daily

● If proper care is not completed during treatment, many problems in the mouth could be an issue - Not limited to: Permanent White Spots, Cavities, Dark Spots, Decalcification, Gingivitis

RETAINERS

Bonded Retainer Care:

Floss every night or use waterpik twice daily
Clear retainers are provided 6 weeks after removal of braces. *Clear retainers are to be worn every night
Do not eat hard foods with your front teeth - Use back teeth
If retainer is broken, please contact our office ASAP
If a lower bonded retainer comes out - SAVE THE RETAINER WIRE

Removable Retainer Care:

Wear nightly during sleep
Brush after wear using Liquid Soap and a toothbrush (DO NOT USE TOOTHPASTE)
Do not leave in direct heat or sunshine
Retainers should be stored in their case
Do not leave near animals(animals will destroy)
Keep your models that come with the retainer for easier replacement in the event your retainer needs to be replaced.
Call our office if you have any questions or concerns or are in need of replacement.