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HOME CARE
Brushing
Keeping your teeth clean is more challenging with braces. Food easily gets trapped in the brackets and between your teeth, and can only be removed through proper brushing and flossing. If plaque is left on your teeth for too long, it can cause permanent white marks on the surface.
Make brushing after every meal part of your daily routine. Use a soft toothbrush and hold it at a 45‑degree angle to the tooth, moving in small circles above and below each bracket. Your toothbrush will wear out faster due to the braces, so replace it as soon as the bristles start to fray.
A Waterpik can help remove food debris, but it won’t remove sticky plaque. For extra cleaning power, consider using a Sonicare ultrasonic toothbrush. Flossing remains essential with braces and can be done more easily using reusable floss threaders.
Eating Habits
Avoid eating hard foods such as nuts, ice, crisp taco shells, whole apples or carrots (cut them into small pieces first), hard French bread crusts and rolls, spare ribs, corn on the cob (cut the kernels off before eating), and popcorn. These can damage your brackets and wires. Also, avoid habits like nail‑biting or chewing on pens and pencils, as they can harm your braces. Stay away from sticky foods such as taffy, caramels, bubble gum, and any type of sticky candy. Use common sense when choosing what to eat. Repeated breakage of braces due to careless eating may result in additional repair charges.
Braces
Check your braces weekly for any loose or bent parts. If a bracket or band becomes loose, or if a wire breaks, contact our office right away so we can schedule an appointment with enough time to make the necessary repairs.
Sore Teeth
After your braces are placed, it’s normal to experience some soreness in your teeth for 2–3 days. Over‑the‑counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or Advil/Motrin can help ease the discomfort. Mild irritation to the cheeks and tongue is also common. However, if you feel anything sharp or uncomfortable poking you, please contact our office.
Elastics
Elastics (rubber bands) work with your braces to apply the precise pressure needed to move teeth and correct your bite. To keep this force constant, they must be worn at all times and changed at least twice a day. Missing even short periods can delay your treatment, so follow the instructions exactly. Remove elastics only when brushing your teeth or eating, and replace them immediately afterward. If you forget to wear them for a day, do not “double up” the next day—simply return to your regular wearing schedule.
Removable Appliances
A removable appliance is specially designed to move or hold your teeth in position. Wear it exactly as instructed and bring it to every appointment. It should be worn at all times, including while sleeping, and may be removed only for swimming or vigorous sports. Your speech will usually return to normal within 2–3 days of wearing it. Avoid flipping the appliance with your tongue, as this can damage your teeth or break the appliance.
It’s normal to feel some soreness for a day or two, especially after adjustments. If you develop a sore spot on your gums, call our office so we can make the necessary adjustments. Clean your appliance daily by brushing it with toothpaste; for a deeper clean, you can use denture cleaner.
Never wrap your appliance in a napkin or tissue—it could be accidentally thrown away. Avoid putting it in your pocket during activities, as it may break or get lost. When it’s not in your mouth, always store it in its protective plastic case.
Keep your appliance away from pets, as they love to chew on them. Avoid placing it near heat sources, and never boil it to sterilize. Do not soak it in mouthwash. If disinfection is needed, bring it to our office and we’ll handle it for you. Lost or broken appliances will incur a replacement fee. Please bring your appliance to every appointment.
Things to Remember About Your Expander
Important care tips:
Always keep your expander in your mouth, except when brushing your teeth.
Do not wrap it in a napkin or leave it on a table—someone might throw it away.
Never put it in your pocket, as it could break if you sit on it.
Remove it when swimming in lakes or oceans (it’s easy to lose there), but it’s fine to wear in a swimming pool.
Keep it away from pets and young children, who may chew or play with it.
Adjusting and cleaning:
Speech may be slightly affected at first, but it will return to normal in a few days.
Brush your teeth without the expander in your mouth.
Clean your expander daily by brushing it with toothpaste or water—never boil it, put it in hot water, or microwave it.
Once a week, remove your expander and turn it one full turn using your special key.
Other notes:
Your first expander is included in your treatment fee. Repairs or replacements will incur additional charges.
Things to Remember About Your Retainer
Retainer Wear Instructions
Wear your retainer full‑time (24/7) for the first year after treatment. After one year, switch to night‑time wear only.
Only remove your retainer for brushing your teeth.
Care & Safety
Never wrap your retainer in a napkin or leave it on a table—it could be accidentally thrown away.
Avoid putting it in your pocket—it can break if you sit on it.
Remove it when swimming in lakes or oceans (it’s easy to lose there), but wearing it in a swimming pool is fine.
Keep it away from pets and small children—they love to chew on them.
Special Notes for Lower Bonded Retainers
If you have a lower fixed retainer, remember it’s not permanent and can break or detach if you’re not careful.
If the wire comes out, save it and bring it to your next appointment for rebonding.
Appointments & Repairs
Always bring your retainers to your check‑up appointments.
If your retainer is lost, broken, or doesn’t fit, contact us immediately.
Your first set of retainers is included in your treatment fee; repairs, replacements, or rebonding will have an additional charge.
Cleaning Instructions
Remove your retainer before brushing your teeth.
Clean it daily using a toothbrush with toothpaste or water.
Never boil your retainer, put it in hot water, or expose it to heat sources.
