YOU’RE BRACES AND YOU
Braces in general smaller, less painful, and much more fun than in the past. Great advances in technology have made braces and the wires that attach to them more patient and user friendly.
Proper oral hygiene is imperative while someone is wearing braces because tooth marking can occur if teeth are not properly cared for. We will monitor your hygiene at each visit, and discuss any problems we may see. It is also equally important that regular cleanings and checkups be maintained. Feel free to talk to us at any time if we can help you in any way.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR BRACES:
For definitions of Terms for Braces, click Terms.
IT WILL TAKE YOU LONGER TO CARE FOR YOUR TEETH:
Give yourself plenty of time in the morning and at night. Carry a travel toothbrush so you are able to brush your teeth wherever you are. Make sure you continue to floss your teeth. Use floss threaders to guide it under, around and through your braces and wires.
- Minor tooth discomfort is normal for the first few days after you get your braces, and sometimes after adjustments.
- You may need to change your diet to softer foods for a few days. Pasta, eggs, soup, bananas and yoghurt are all healthy choices. Make sure you are still getting nutrition from all the food groups along with enough fluid.
- Avoid chewy and sticky foods, as well as hard foods. Keep in mind that even healthy foods like apples and carrots should not be bitten into where you can push on the brackets. Instead, break or cut them, and chew them on your back teeth.
- Too many sweets will loosen the bond that we attached your braces with. This may delay your treatment. This includes all sugary drinks. If you have something sweet, brush your teeth immediately after you are Remember, sugar and plaque will lead to tooth decay.
- Cheeks and lips become irritated until they are accustomed to your new braces. Orthodontic wax will keep the area smooth until your tissues “toughen up”. This usually happens the first few days after getting braces.
- As teeth move, the wire has to go somewhere, which may be out the back. You can use orthodontic wax to make it smooth until your nextappointment, or give us a call and we’ll make arrangements to trim it for you, it only takes a second. Do not trim the wires yourself!
BRUSHING
IT WILL TAKE YOU LONGER TO CARE FOR YOUR TEETH!
Caring for your teeth with braces is not difficult; it will just take a little more time and patience on your part. Taking the time will ensure that once your braces are removed, your teeth will look just as you pictured!
BRUSH EACH TOOTH INDIVIDUALLY
10 Circles Above Your Brace
10 Circles On Your Brace
10 Circles Below Your Braces
Don’t Forget the Back of Your Teeth and Your Tongue
USE A PROXY BRUSH
Place Under Archwire
Clean Beside Each Bracket
Clean Along the Archwire
You should also carry a toothbrush with you, so you can brush your teeth at school or work after snacks and meals.
Following these guidelines for brushing is sure to keep your teeth and gums healthy!
An electric toothbrush should be used in the same manner.
FLOSSING
Now that you have braces and wires, you will not be able to floss your teeth in the usual way. Using a floss threader will help you to guide dental floss around your braces and wires and in – between your teeth.
- Start by taking 12 inches or so of floss and looping it though the threader.
- Thread the floss between your teeth and the wires of your braces
- Pull it down gar enough so you can grab each end of the floss.
- Wrap the ends of the floss around your fingers, make a V shape, and rub the floss up and down the sides of the teeth, and slightly under the gum line.
DO THIS IN-BETWEEN EACH TOOTH!
Remember that flossing is just as important as proper brushing. We recommend you floss your teeth, at least once a day, preferably before bedtime.
Water – Pik is also a great aid for cleaning around braces.
COMMON QUESTIONS
HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO COME IN FOR ADJUSTMENTS?
Visits are generally on a monthly basis and range from 15-30 minutes each.
CAN I SCHEDULE ALL OF MY APPOINTMENTS AFTER SCHOOL?
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. Because most appointments are scheduled well in advance, you will miss a minimal amount of school. We will make sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.
WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT?
If your braces are causing extreme pain, or if something breaks, you should call our office. In most cases we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.
HOW LONG DOES TREATMENT TAKE WITH BRACES?
The length of time you need to wear braces will depend on the severity of your problem and your treatment plan. Treatment times in general range from 6 to 30 months.
CAN I DO ANYTHING TO GET MY BRACES OFF SOONER?
Yes, actually there is. If you wear your rubber bands and follow instructions always, you might be able to cut a couple of months off your braces time. It’s in your hands, or mouth.
CO – TREATING: Because the teeth are embedded in jaw bones, it is possible to both improve and hasten by co-treating with a Chiropractor or an Osteopath. This is very valuable adjunct to Functional Orthodontics.
DO YOU USE RECYCLED BRACES?
Absolutely not! It is our belief that each patient should be provided with their own braces to achieve the best result possible.
DO YOU USE NEEDLES?
No. Needles are not necessary during orthodontic treatment.
DO BRACES HURT?
No. Immediately after an adjustment there may be some discomfort, or feeling that “my teeth feel tight”. This is normal, and, thankfully, short lived. Most patients say they only feel a little discomfort for the first days. For the majority of your treatment, there will be NO discomfort. Should your parents feel it is needed, pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol will aid in reducing the initial discomfort.
WHY ARE MY TEETH FEELING LOOSE?
This is to be expected throughout treatment. Don’t worry! It’s normal. Teeth must loosen first so they can be moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new – corrected – positions.
DO I STILL NEED REGULAR CHECKUPS AND CLEANINGS?
Yes! This is vital while in braces.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BRUSH AND FLOSS?
You should brush and floss at least twice daily. Please refer to pages 7&8 for information.
ARE THERE ANY FOODS I CAN’T EAT?
Yes. Please refer to pages 11 & 12 for more information.
CAN I STILL PLAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?
Although braces do affect some musical instruments, the effect is only for a short period of time. Usually you will be back to your level of play in two weeks. Some advice; do not have the braces put on near any type of recital or competition.
CAN I STILL PLAY SPORTS?
Yes. If the sport you are participating in recommends a mouth guard, YOU NEED ONE.
IF I KISS SOMEONE WITH BRACES, WILL OUR BRACES GET STUCK TOGETHER?
Probably not, but consider it a calculated risk.
EATING HABITS
To protect you’re braces while you are wearing them, it is important to watch the food that you eat and avoid those that can cause damage to your braces. Follow these guidelines while wearing braces to help you avoid problems.
AVOID STICKY FOODS – TOFFEE, GUM, RASINS, COOKIES, CARAMEL, DRIED FRUITS, ETC.
These can damage or loosen your braces.
AVOID CRUNCHY FOODS – POPCORN, CORN CHIPS, NUTS ETC.
These can break your braces.
AVOID HARD CANDY OR MINTS
Chewing hard candies will loosen or break your braces.
CUT HARD FOODS LIKE APPLES AND CARROTS INTO BITE SIZE PIECES.
It will make them easier to chew and easier on your braces.
AVOID SUGARY DRINKS
Drinks such as soft drinks and sweet fruit drinks are loaded with refined sugar. Processed sugars are very harmful to your teeth and health.
SUGAR & PLAQUE
Sugar intake and nutrition have a direct influence on the progression of tooth decay. We all have plaque, which is a sticky colourless film of bacteria that constantly forms on the surfaces of our teeth. Having braces gives plaque bacteria more areas to stick and grow.
In less than 20 minutes after the bacteria (plaque) has been in contact with sugar, acids start attacking and dissolving your tooth enamel, causing mineral loss and leaving them susceptible to scarring or worse, cavities. Plaque is also responsible for causing gum disease. Bleeding gums, puffy gums, and bad breath are the first stages of gum disease.
PLAQUE + SUGAR + POOR ORAL HYGIENE
AFTER EVERY SUGARY SNACK BRUSH YOUR TEETH!
DID YOU KNOW THAT ONE CAN OF POP HAS 17 SPOONS OF SUGAR?
It is the #1 reason for treatment delays, tooth marking and cavities during orthodontic treatment!
ELASTICS
ELASTICS OR RUBBER BANDS ARE USED TO PLACE A GENTLE AND CONTINUOUS FORCE ON YOUR TEETH TO ALIGN YOUR UPPER TEETH TO YOUR LOWER TEETH.
There is usually some discomfort the first few days after you begin to wear your elastics. It will go away if you continue to wear them as directed. If you wear them on day, and not the next, the discomfort will increase and your progress will slow down, maybe even stop!
Most often, wearing elastics means that you are near the end of your treatment.
Keep this in mind, and follow the directions exactly as given. A little more patience and persistence on your part and your treatment will be complete. Wearing elastics is something that nobody likes, but your teeth will only move if they are worn. If at all possible, you should eat with them in as well.
ONE MEAL WITH ELASTICS = 24 HOURS OF WEAR TIME
so even if it is awkward, this is when it is working
TEETH HAVE NEVER FAILED TO MOVE WHEN ELASTICS ARE WORN CONSISTANTLY AND AS DIRECTED.
Smile, it makes people wonder what you are thinking
.. Source Unknown
WHAT IF
A BAND IS LOOSE?
The seal created by the cement has been broken for some reason. This can lead to decay or decalcification under the band.
A BRACKET IS LOOSE?
The brace has been dislodged from your tooth. The brace is attached to the archwire and seems to be sliding around.
THE ARCHWIRE IS OUT OF THE SLOT?
The archwire is no longer in the bracket, meaning your braces and wires are not moving your teeth.
A SEPARATOR HAS FALLEN OUT?
Separators must be in place 2-3 days before your next appointment.
A HOOK HAS BROKEN?
The hooks for your elastics have broken. Stop wearing all elastics until it can be repaired.
For all of these situations please call to schedule an appointment right away, or simply schedule additional time for your next appointment 09 428 1081
The world is like a mirror, you see?
Smile, and your friends smile back.
.. Japanese Zen saying
FINISHED AT LAST
WHAT WE ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.
WHAT WE ALL WORKED SO HARD FOR.
CONGRATULATIONS, YOU DID IT!
We will let you know usually a month in advance that your braces are ready to be removed. Arrangements are made individually for each patient, but usually we do it one of two days.
- We schedule an appointment for you to come in so we can take impressions for your retainers, as well as take some final tests that we took before you began treatment, to be sure that everything is just as we planned. We then bring you back a week or two later to remove your braces, and deliver your retainers.
- We schedule you two appointments on one day. You will come in the morning for an hour or so. We will remove your braces; take your retainers off to be made. We then bring you back near the end of the day for another hour and deliver your retainers.
Either way, you will know well in advance how and when your appointments will be made
A smile is the light in the window of the soul indicating that the heart is at home.
.. Source Unknown
RETAINERS
Your retainers have been designed to maintain your teeth in their new, corrected positions. Your dentist has prescribed the best retainer for you based on your original problem, course of treatment, as well as your habits. Follow these wear and care instructions.
REMOVABLE RETAINERS
- Wear at all times, removing only to clean and while participating in active sports, unless given other instructions by your dentist.
- Your speech may be effected, but only for a few days.
- Don’t flip your retainer with your tongue.
- Brush it using a toothbrush and toothpaste in warm water. It will accumulate plaque just as your teeth do.
- When it’s not in your mouth, store it in the case provided.
- Never wrap your retainer in a tissue or put it in your pocket. It will get lost or broken.
- Bring your retainer to all your appointments and remember, braches off does not mean we never see you again.
FIXED RETAINERS
- Remain in your mouth, so if anything comes loose call your dentist right away so it can be repaired or replaced.
- Be sure to brush and floss around and through your fixed retainer, just as you did your braces.
A winning smile makes winners of us all.
.. Source Unknown
WHAT NOW?
YOUR TEETH MAY MOVE ONCE YOU’RE BRACES ARE REMOVED
This is why you have retainers.
Please wear your retainers exactly as instructed. Although you will need to wear them constantly for the first year or so, your wear time will decrease once things settle in.
IF YOUR RETAINER IS LOST OR BROKEN, CALL
YOUR DENTIST as soon as possible, within working hours!
To allow too much time may allow teeth to shift, then it might be back to braces!
We will be checking on you less frequently now that your braces have been removed. We will see you in a month, then 2 or 3, then maybe every 6 months, then in a year. Please be sure to bring your retainers to all of your follow up appointments.
You have become a family member and we will miss you!
Remember you can call us at any time, if you need our assistance, and our door is always open if you want to pop by just to say hi!
Well, we hope you are as excited about your new smile as we are.
GO SHOW IT OFF!
KEEP SMILING!
Remember to continue on with all the great oral hygiene habits that you established when you got your braces. Regular brushing, flossing, cleaning and check ups will keep your teeth and gums happy and healthy for years to come.
Together, we have worked hard to give
You the smile you always wanted.
Every time you look in the mirror,
Give yourself a pat on the back-
You did it, with a little help from us!
ENJOY YOUR SMILE!!!
Remember,
It takes twice as many muscles to frown,
Than it does to
SMILE!