Successful orthodontic treatment requires a partnership between yourself and our office. It is only with a combination of your effort and commitment, and our hard work, that together we can achieve an excellent orthodontic result. We want you to have the best orthodontic experience in an efficient time frame. To help ensure that together we can reach our goals, there are some things that only you can do.
Oral Hygiene
The best way to ensure a clean and healthy smile is brushing and flossing. Food particles can accumulate on teeth and in braces, and over time turn into plaque. The bacteria that results from this accumulation can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and even loss of teeth. To avoid these problems while you are in orthodontic treatment, take special care of your braces, teeth and gums.
Brushing
When brushing your teeth, hold the toothbrush so that it is angled towards your gum line. Then proceed to sweep the toothbrush away from the gums towards the tips of your teeth, thereby removing the plaque from your teeth. Brush slowly and carefully covering all areas between teeth, between braces and the surface of each tooth. Always brush away from your gums. Brush up on the lower teeth, down on the upper teeth and the outside, inside and chewing surfaces of your front and back teeth.To properly clean your braces, we recommend brushing along the wire from bracket to bracket in a horizontal / back and forth direction.
You should expect to spend a minimum of 4 to 5 minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth and braces, 3 times a day. Also, be sure to brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth before rinsing.
Flossing
For areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach, use dental floss to remove food particles and plaque. Insert floss behind archwire. Gently clean the sides of teeth and under the gums with an up-and-down motion. Flossing takes more time and patience when you are wearing braces, but it is important that you floss between all teeth once a day. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets.
Foods to Avoid
Foods that cannot be cleaned off the braces may lead to discoloration and decay of your teeth. Braces and wires are fragile and are usually damaged by eating the wrong foods, thus prolonging treatment. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Minimize sugary foods; they cause tooth decay and related problems.
Avoid the Following Foods:
- Gum (sugar-free or regular) or sticky foods: caramels, licorice, gummy bears, Tootsie Rolls®, Starburst, caramels, Sugar Daddies and toffee.
- Hard foods: nuts, pizza crust, bagels, hard candy, apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces), corn on the cob, French bread crust/rolls, chips & hard taco shells.
- Minimize Sugary foods like: candy, cookies, cake, pie, ice cream and other foods with sugar.
- Drink much less: pop and drinks with sugar.
- Avoid Chewing on pens, pencils and fingernails
It’s important to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, call our office immediately to arrange an appointment for repair.
Emergency Info
Many problems can be solved temporarily until a repair appointment is scheduled. Problems need not delay your treatment.
Loose Band or Bracket-Call our office immediately for advice if a bracket or wire is loosened. The bracket may need to be re-fitted as soon as possible. If the band or bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it in place. If uncomfortable, place wax on it. If the bracket has come out of your mouth, please wrap it in tissue and bring it with you to your next appointment. Please call our office during business hours, so that we may schedule an appointment for you.
Loose Wire-Place back with tweezers. If impossible, clip wire where you can easily get access, with nail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. If uncomfortable, place wax on it.
Poking Wire-Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment.
Lost Tiewire or Elastic Tie Soreness-Notify us at your next appointment.
Soreness-You will likely feel some pain, soreness or discomfort within the first week after brace placement and after routine adjustments are complete. Warm salt water rinses and/or Tylenol®, or Ibuprofen can relieve the discomfort while you adjust to your new braces.
Headgear Does Not Fit -Not wearing as prescribed-If face bow is bent call the office at once.
Loose Appliance-Sticking or poking-place wax on it. Even if you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us if you need an appliance repaired.
Lost separators-If a separator is lost, please call our office to see if it needs to be replaced.
If you feel you are unable to handle a problem on your own, please call us as soon as possible. 416-391-4222.
If any part of your braces has become broken prior to your next scheduled appointment, please notify us immediately. We may have to adjust the timing and/or length of your appointment.