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YOUR NEW BRACES

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CONGRATULATIONS!!!

You are the proud owner of a shining set of fixed orthodontic appliances - BRACES! These "tooth straighteners" will be on your teeth for many months, so here are some important, helpful hints.

ORAL HYGIENE

One of the most important things that you can do is to keep your teeth and braces really clean. Your teeth will move faster when they're clean and they'll stay white and fresh smelling. Also, you'll have healthy gums, your teeth won't get cavities, and of course, they'll look much nicer! What a deal! The only catch is that, with braces, you'll have to work harder to keep your teeth clean. Never forget the importance of proper brushing. We will be checking your toothbrushing at each visit and letting you know how well you do. Brush your teeth as soon as you come into the office so when Dr. Lash or Dr. Rubin examine you, your teeth are already clean.

APPOINTMENTS

Normally you will be seen about once every 3-4 weeks, but this can range from 1-6 weeks. All your appointments are important and it is essential that patients arrive on time so that we can accomplish all that is planned for each visit. This will also keep your treatment progressing on schedule.

SORENESS

Some soreness of the teeth can be expected at certain times during orthodontic treatment. This usually occurs after the braces are initially placed and occasionally after adjustment visits. This soreness may last a few hours or so, everybody is different. Your cheeks and lips may also become sore or irritated because they are not used to the braces. You will be given soft wax to be placed over the bands and brackets at night; this will act as a cushion for the lips and cheeks and allow them to adapt more quickly. We recommend using this for a full week every night while sleeping. After a week, use it only as necessary during the night and/or day. It may also be helpful to use a warm salt-water rinse twice daily for the first week (Use ¼ teaspoon of salt in ½ cup of warm water).

EMERGENCIES

Occasionally you may find a wire will shift or a bracket will come loose. If you are in any discomfort please call the office. Depending on the urgency we may need to schedule you right away, or when immediate repair is not needed, you may wait until your next scheduled appointment.

SPEECH

There is usually little to no change in speech.

BITE CHANGES

You may notice that your teeth are hitting on the braces. This is a common occurrence that will go away as your teeth align.

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LIST OF FOODS NOT TO EAT

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Eating may be a bit awkward at first, but you will soon adapt to this. It is very important to eat softer foods that won't harm your delicate braces. Avoid hard and sticky foods. These types of foods can easily be break or damage your braces and cause you to keep them on longer than originally planned. So, be careful!

Some foods that are on the forbidden list can be eaten when prepared with extra care. Carrots cut into strips, thin apple wedges, and corn cut off the cob are acceptable. Cut hamburgers into bite-size pieces.

Use your judgment in food selection. Do not eat anything hard, sticky, or chewy.

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TOOTHBRUSHING WITH BRACES

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Whether you have bands around your teeth or brackets attached just to the front surface, brushing can be more difficult when you have braces. The brackets, tubes, and wires tend to make a little "shelf" around the outside of your teeth. This shelf makes it harder for your toothbrush to clean the spaces between your gums and the attachments. These tips may help you keep your teeth cleaner and your breath fresher.

1. First, gently brush back and fourth between the wires and gums to loosen food particles. Start on the upper, then do the lower, keeping your teeth apart while you brush.
   
   
2. Next, brush correctly as if you had no bands on.

• Start on the outside of the uppers with the bristles at a 45-degree angle toward the gum. Brush with a circular motion 2 teeth at a time, at least 10 strokes in each area. Are sure the tips of the bristles reached under the wires to the gums. Work from right to left on the upper and then do the same on the lower teeth.
  
  
• Next, use the same pattern and brush the inner surfaces of the upper, then lower teeth.
  
  
• Brush the chewing surfaces last.

3. Rinse your mouth and toothbrush. Look in a mirror to see if you have missed any places. Check the little half-moon spaces of tooth between the brackets and gums. If you see any areas you have missed, clean them now.
   
   
4. When you have finished the bands and wires should be free of all food particles and the soft, white coatings called plaque. The bands should look clean and shiny.

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ORTHODONTIC RETAINERS

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CONGRATULATIONS YOUR BRACES ARE OFF!!!!!

The purpose of retainers is to hold the teeth in their newly aligned positions after the braces are removed. It is important to know that your teeth will be under pressure to move back to where they used to be due to the "memory" of the gum tissue. In addition, as people get older there is a general tendency for teeth to shift towards the front of the mouth and become crowded. This occurs whether or not one has had braces and is due to biting pressure. Thus retainers are very important to minimize any movement that could take place.

WHEN & HOW LONG

Basically they need to be worn enough to keep them "fitting". In general this means full-time wear, except for eating and brushing, during the first 6-12 months. Nighttime wear is then sufficient after this initial period. We recommend that our young patients wear their retainers nightly until the age of 21 years and then on an "as needed" basis. For adult patients we recommend that nightly wear continue indefinitely due to the strong oral forces that are on the teeth.

CARE

Brush them thoroughly once a day, preferably with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm (not hot!) water and toothpaste. An occasional 5-minute soak in mouthwash will keep them smelling fresh. Also if you find that tarter is building up on your retainers, soak them for 20-30 minutes in white vinegar and then brush thoroughly. If a wire gets bent or the plastic becomes cracked or broken, please call for an appointment immediately! Teeth can shift rapidly and a significant delay may cause tooth movement that requires retreatment.

SPEECH

You may find yourself lisping at first; this is temporary until your tongue learns to adapt to them. Reading out loud for 5-10 minutes at night for the first week will help immensely.

AVOID

Do not eat or chew gum while wearing your retainers and avoid flipping them around with your tongue. These activities will weaken the retainers and make them more prone to breakage. Also, avoid placing your retainers in HOT water or on a HOT surface, this can warp the appliance so that it won't fit. When your retainers are not in your mouth they should be in the case provided.

LOST

These are the most popular ways that retainers are lost: 1) Wrapped up in a napkin and thrown out at a fast food restaurant or school cafeteria. 2) Eaten by the family pet (man's best friend?) 3) Dislodged while swimming (leave out during sports)...So be careful, and use the case provided.

REPLACEMENT COST

Retainers are expensive and there is a charge to replace a retainer that is lost or broken, so take good care of them. If you have your broken retainer DO NOT throw it away, bring it to your appointment.