Orthodontic instructions

You have made the decision to wear braces

A cooperative orthodontic patient will help us achieve the best possible outcome during treatment. Caring properly for your braces and retainers and following instructions provided by our clinic, will effect the orthodontic treatment. Failure to follow our instructions may extend treatment time and limit the orthodontic results.

Patients are seen on a regular basis to check progress of treatment and adjust the orthodontic appliances. Broken appliances and missed appointments will lengthen treatment time since we will be unable to accomplish what was required during the scheduled appointment. Please notify the office in the event of an emergency or broken appliance.

  

 

 


The orthodontic result is only as good as the patient that follows instructions

Tooth Brushing

• Brush your teeth three times a day, after breakfast, after lunch at school and after dinner. If possible, we recommend brushing within 5    minutes after eating.
• Brush around all surfaces of the teeth and braces to remove all plaque.
• Rinse your mouth thoroughly after brushing and look in the mirror to see if you have missed any spots.
• When finished, your braces should look clean and shiny.
• Dental floss your teeth once a day.

  

 

We recommend the use of the Oral B Interdental Set & the Orthodontic toothbrush, Flouride mouth wash and the Super Floss. You can find all these in any pharmacy next to you. This is a great way to get the job done!
If you use an electric tooth brush it is fine but you have to supplement its use with the interdental brush to make sure you will get all food debris that accumulate between the braces.

Foods to Avoid During Orthodontic Treatment

 Many foods can damage or break your orthodontic brackets, wires, and appliances. A careful orthodontic patient will help us to complete treatment on time with a beautiful smile.

HARD/STICKY/CHEWY FOODS may do damage by bending wires that guide the teeth into the position. They also may loosen cement under the bands that support the wires and break the bonding seal that attaches the brackets to the teeth. Below is a list of foods patients must avoid:

• Gum, licorice, taffy, caramel
• Ice (definite no-no)
• Corn-on-the-Cob (cut it off the cob)
• Apples or unripe fruit (cut into pieces)
• Hard bagels and hard outer edge of pizza crust
• Jolly ranchers, fruit chews, starbursts, etc.
• Unpopped popcorn kernels, beef jerky, peanut brittle
• Hard pretzels, corn nuts, nuts or seeds in shell
• Carrots (may be eaten if cut into thin curls or pieces)
• Pens and Pencils, (we know they aren't a food!)

AVOID FOOD OR DRINK HIGH IN SUGAR CONTENT. When enjoying an occasional sweet, brush your teeth immediately. If you are not able to brush at that time, rinse your mouth out with water to remove the sugar, especially after soft drinks (regular and diet), soft candy and cake or cookies.

FOODS WITH HIGH ACID CONTENT such as lemons and limes can affect the enamel of your teeth and weaken the bonding agent used to glue the brackets to the teeth. Any sour candy is very high in acid content and should be avoided whether you are undergoing orthodontic treatment or not to prevent permanent erosion of enamel.

 

   
Retainers and Removable Appliances

Retainers and removable appliances are to be worn at all times – including sleeping hours, unless you have been instructed otherwise by the orthodontist.

• Appliances may be cleaned by brushing the appliances after each meal. If you can't brush, remove your appliance and rinse well before    replacing it back into your mouth.
• When removable appliances are out of your mouth, store in your container to prevent loss or breakage. Most loss and breakage occurs when    the appliances are out of your mouth. The safest place is in your mouth.
• Never place your retainer in boiling or hot water. It will warp the appliance.
• Contact our office if you break or lose your retainer as soon as possible.

Getting used to your retainers

At first, your retainers will feel very bulky and speech may be a problem. The retainer may cause a slight lisp. In a few days, your speech usually returns to normal. The day after you receive your retainers your teeth may be uncomfortable and the roof of your mouth may become a little tender. This will only last a few days.

Broken or cracked retainers

If you are not careful with your retainers, they may crack, break or the wires may bend. This will affect how the retainer fits in your mouth. If a piece breaks off, it may be necessary to remake the entire plastic an extra charge will be applied to any remade retainers.

A wire or clasp may bend if you are not careful. The retainer may not fit or feel too tight. Don't try to fix it yourself. Contact our office so we may schedule you to adjust the appliance or make a new retainer. Retainers are made to withstand normal use, but they will crack or break if handled roughly or not stored properly in their container when not in your mouth.

EACH Patient is responsible to wear his retainer immediately after braces are removed as instructed by the Orthodontist. If any patient fails to put on the retainers it will effect the treatment negatively.

We ARE NOT responsible for any teeth moving from its place if retainers are not worn.

Re-treatment may be necessary and Extra charges for a new treatment will apply

A BEAUTIFUL SMILE WILL LAST A LIFETIME IF YOU WEAR YOUR RETAINERS!

Rubber band wear

• Rubber bands are to be worn 24 hrs per day, except when brushing your teeth, unless stated otherwise by the orthodontist. Failure to wear    your rubber bands as requested will result in treatment running longer than expected. It may also affect the finished orthodontic treatment.
• Change your rubber bands once a day with new rubber bands. They lose their stretch.
• If you break or lose a rubber band, replace immediately. Always carry a spare pack of rubber bands in your pocket.
• Remember to replace your supply of rubber bands at every appointment.

If you are running low or lose your rubber bands, please contact the Clinic and we will supply u with some more.

The Palatal Expander

The Rapid Palatal Expander is a fixed appliance designed to expand the upper jaw.

Placement:

Although this appliance is cemented to the upper molars, fitting into the roof of the mouth, patients play an active role in treatment by expanding this device according to our instructions. Slight discomfort, including some difficulty with eating and speaking, may be experienced during the first week of treatment. A temporary space between the front teeth can also appear with the use of a palate expander. The appearance of this space is absolutely normal. This space may disappear when the turning of the appliance is complete.

 

Care and Maintenance:

Care must be taken when brushing with the palatal expander. To prevent food from collecting above the shelf of the palate expander and irritating the palate, clean the space between the appliance and the roof of the mouth with a small (interdental) brush. Rinsing with water or mouthwash after every meal can also help dislodge any unwanted debris.

Avoid hard and sticky foods that can pull the expander from the mouth - especially bubble gum! Contact our office if the appliance becomes loose or if an adjustment hole is "lost" when expanding the appliance.

THE END RESULT IN ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PATIENT THAT FOLLOWS INSTRUCTIONS!

Emergencies
Please notify the office in the event of an emergency or broken appliance. Often times we may be able to direct you over the phone on how to eliminate the problem and determine if an additional appointment is required. If you are experiencing pain, it is important that we be notified. If a problem arises, after hours, contact 99249950. In case of an accident, apply ice immediately to the affected area, and then contact us. Listed below are some tips on how to deal with a broken appliance at home.

• Loose band or bracket: If band or bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it on the wire. Place wax on bracket if it is bothering you.
• Loose wire: Try to place the wire back to the bracket with tweezers. If you are not able, clip with small wire cutters or fingernail clippers behind    the last tooth to which the wire is securely fastened. Place wax on wire if it is sharp.
• Poking wire: Try to bend the wire back with a spoon or eraser tip of pencil. If unsuccessful, use wax.
• Soreness: Take Advil or panadol as needed. The discomfort should go away within 2-3 days. If it hasn't improved during that time, contact our    office.
• Headgear doesn't fit: Sometimes caused by not wearing as prescribed. If face bow is bent, please contact office to schedule appointment and    stop wearing the headgear until the appliance is adjusted.
• Loose appliance: If appliance is sticking or poking you, place wax on the irritated area.

The best way to avoid an emergency is to follow the diet and avoid hard and sticky foods. Continued emergency problems will prolong treatment and limit the overall orthodontic correction.