Home Care

Your orthodontic braces will only be effective if you follow proper maintenance.

Oral Hygiene

Braces make it more difficult to fully clean your teeth and gums. Food lodges between your teeth, requiring careful brushing and flossing. It’s imperative you brush after every meal and snack because any plaque left behind will create a permanent white spot on the surface of your tooth.

A soft toothbrush is your best bet. Brush in small circles, using a steady pressure at a 45-degree angle. Make sure you replace your brush when the bristles begin to fray. Electric toothbrushes also are an excellent option.

Daily flossing is an absolute must. Waterpiks can be helpful, but they won’t remove plaque as thoroughly as regular flossing.

Antibacterial Mouthwashes

Hydrogen-peroxide mouth rinses help reduce the inflammation to your cheeks and gums that may be caused by orthodontic braces. Rinses also help prevent infection of these areas; reduce irritation; and heal scrapes, canker sores, cheek bites and other temporary injuries related to braces.

Proper Eating Habits

Avoid eating various foods to prevent the risk of breaking the brackets and wires of your braces.

In particular, you should avoid:

• Sticky foods and candies
• Hard foods and breads
• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Chips and pretzels
• Carbonated drinks
• Hard, uncooked fruits and vegetables, unless cut into small pieces
• A minimum of sugary foods and drinks

Sore Teeth

It’s normal to experience some soreness for two or three days after you receive your braces. Your cheeks and tongue may be irritated. Standard pain relievers such as Tylenol or Advil will help reduce any discomfort.

Call us for an appointment if you feel a sharp piece poking you or develop any sores.

Elastic Bands

Elastics attach to your braces provide the tension necessary for moving your teeth. Elastics will only work if you wear them all the time and change them each day.

Remember:

• Remove the elastics only when you brush your teeth
• Always carry extra elastics to replace any that break
• Don’t double up on elastics the next day if you forgot to wear them the previous day
• Worn elastics aren’t effective. Change them as instructed, even if they’re not broken

Call our office if your elastics break frequently, a band or wire becomes loose, or a hook entirely breaks off. These problems need to be corrected immediately.