Brushing
You will notice that it requires more time to keep your teeth clean with braces. Food tends to get stuck in the brackets and between your teeth, and can only be removed by brushing and flossing. Floss every day if possible (2-3 times a week, at minimum). In order to get the floss under your wires, use floss threaders or Super Floss. If plaque remains on the teeth for any significant length of time, it can leave a permanent white scar on the surface (decalcification). Brushing after meals should become part of your daily schedule. Make sure to use the special fluoride gel (prescribed by our office) every day. It will not only prevent cavities, but also help prevent decalcification around your braces.

Eating Habits
A healthy diet means a healthy body, healthy teeth, and a better result for your orthodontic treatment. Please do not eat hard or sticky foods (see list below), as they may break brackets and wires. Also beware of nail biting and pen or pencil chewing habits, because these can damage your braces. A small piece of soft, sugarless gum occasionally is acceptable. If in doubt, simply use common sense about most foods.

Foods to avoid while wearing braces:

  • Gummy Bears
  • Chewing Ice
  • Chewing Hard Bread Crust
  • Hard Pretzels
  • Hard Pizza Crust
  • Apples (unless peeled and cut into bite sized pieces)
  • Carrots (unless cut in strips)
  • Popcorn (the hulls tend to irritate your gums)
  • Frozen Candy Bars
  • Nuts
  • Hard Candies (Jolly Ranchers, etc.)
  • Sticky Candies
  • Beef Jerky
  • Celery
  • Granola Bars
  • Corn on the cobb (slice it off!)
  • Bubble Gum
  • Tootsie Roll / Bit-O-Honey
  • Crunchy Chips

Elastics
Elastics (rubber bands) are used in many patients to gently exert the force necessary to move groups of teeth. In order for the elastics to work properly, they must be worn as instructed (often as much as possible). 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 and changing them when necessary. Make sure to wear them as instructed, and as much as possible. Elastics can be removed for meals, for brushing your teeth and usually for athletics. Then it's important to remember to put your elastics back on as soon as you can!

  • Always carry a few 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, do not double up the next day, just follow your regular instructions.

  • Elastics wear out. When they lose their elasticity, they do not provide the proper pressure on your teeth. Therefore, it is very important to change them as often as directed.

  • If your elastics break frequently, a wire or band loosens, or a hook breaks off, call our office immediately. Do not wait until your next appointment; these problems need to be corrected as soon as possible so your treatment can progress efficiently.

Removable Appliances
Removable appliances can be designed to move or to hold your teeth, or to modify jaw growth. It is important that you wear your appliances as instructed and bring them to each appointment.

  • You must wear your appliances as instructed, usually even while sleeping. Generally, these appliances may be removed while eating, swimming, or playing vigorous sports.

  • Avoid flipping your appliance with your tongue; this may damage your teeth or break your appliance.

  • A new appliance may make your teeth sore for a day or two, or later, after an adjustment. If you have a sore spot on you gums, call our office so that we can adjust the appliance.

  • Clean your appliance by brushing it daily after brushing your teeth. Denture cleaner (e.g., Efferdent or Polident) can also be used for a more thorough cleaning.

  • NEVER wrap any orthodontic appliance in a paper napkin or tissue and set it down on the table! You or someone else may accidentally throw it away. Do not put it in your pocket when playing or you may break or lose it. Whenever it is not in your mouth, it should be placed in its plastic retainer 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...it will melt! If necessary, bring it to the office and we will be happy to disinfect it for you.

Retainers
Now that your braces are off and you are enjoying your beautiful new smile, we would like to give you some information about retainers. Retainers are very important in maintaining your orthodontic results and are especially crucial during the first year after your braces have been removed.

  • Until you are advised differently, wear your retainers as much as possible, except for playing sports, brushing your teeth and eating.

  • Brush the retainers with cold water every time you brush your teeth. Soaking them in mouthwash during dinner will give you that after-dinner mint taste. Occasionally soaking in regular denture cleaner is also a good idea.

  • Retainers can easily be broken if they are not in your mouth or in their case. Avoid backpacks, back pockets, tabletops and places where the family pet can reach them.

  • If you break your retainer, do not try to fix it yourself. Call our office to get it repaired.

  • Avoid repetitively clicking your retainer in and out or continually removing it to show friends; this will loosen your retainers and result in an improper fit.

  • Retainers do not like heat. Avoid hot water, direct sunlight and do not microwave them (yes, it has been done!).

  • You may notice that you seem to talk funny or salivate more when you first get your retainer. This is normal and will improve with practice and time.

  • Remember: retainers are difficult to make and are expensive to replace. Take care of them and keep your recall appointments with us. With proper care, your retainers will serve you well for a very long time.

The Patient's Responsibility
For best results, please follow these instructions and keep your appointments.

  • See your dentist every 6 months.

  • Brush your teeth after every meal (whenever possible).

  • AVOID eating sweets between meals unless the teeth can be cleaned immediately thereafter.

  • AVOID chewing ice, hard or sticky candy, gum, and popcorn; also avoid playing with or dislodging appliances.

  • AVOID rough play where you could receive a blow to the face or could catch the appliances on your clothing (and therefore dislodge or break them).

  • If you are wearing a bonded wire retainer behind your front teeth, be extra careful to clean the wire and the area around it. Remember to floss every day.

  • Please notify the office IMMEDIATELY if the appliances are loose or are lost or broken.

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