Braces 101
Life as you know it does not end with the installation of your new braces. There will be some minor adjustments, like avoiding certain foods, brushing more carefully than you might be used to, and taking good care of your retainers. But the extra effort is worth it. Carefully following Dr. Chang's treatment plan will allow you to get your braces off as soon as possible, bringing your new smile to life.
Eating with Braces
What can you eat? For the first day or so, stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.
What you should avoid:
- Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
- Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips.
- Sticky foods: caramels, gum.
- Hard foods: nuts, candy
- Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
- Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils, or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will prolong your treatment time.
General Soreness
When you get your braces on, you may feel some soreness in your mouth and your teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. Rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater mouthwash can relieve the symptoms. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin or another common pain reliever as you would for similar pain. The lips, cheeks, and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. Putting wax on the braces can lessen this. Dr. Chang will show you how!
Loosening of Teeth
Don't worry! It's normal. Teeth must loosen so they can be moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new, corrected, positions.
Care of Appliances
Successfully completing the treatment plan is a team effort, with you and Dr. Chang working together. Your teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if you wear the rubber bands, headgear, or other appliances recommended by Dr. Chang.
Brushing
It's more important than ever to brush and floss regularly when you have braces so the teeth and gums are healthy after orthodontic treatment. Patients who do not keep their teeth clean may require more frequent visits to the dentist for a professional cleaning. Adults who have a history of gum disease should also see a periodontist during orthodontic treatment.
Retainer & Expander Instructions
Retainer Instructions
- Wear your retainers full time, until Dr. Chang gives you the OK to stop.
- Take your retainers out when eating…and always put them in their case! Most retainers are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.
- Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm, but not hot, water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used but these are not substitutes for brushing.
- You may find it difficult to speak at first. Practice speaking, reading, or singing aloud to get used to your retainers faster.
- Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If yours are lost or broken, call us immediately.
- If you have any questions about your retainers, or they need adjusting, call us. Please don't try to adjust them yourself.
- Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
- Remove retainers when swimming.
- Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
- Retainer replacement is expensive…with proper care they will last for years!
Removable Expander Instructions
- Wear your expander all the time. That means all day, during meals, and while sleeping.
- Remove your expander only to brush your teeth. Brush your expander at least twice a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste to remove plaque and prevent odors.
Fixed Expander Instructions
- Turn your expansion screws as instructed by Dr. Chang. Insert the key into the hole and turn toward the arrow.
- If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, stop turning the expander.
Athletics
Let us know if you play sports. We may need to provide you with a protective mouth guard, especially if you're involved in contact sports. In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, call us immediately for an appointment. Until we see you in the office, treat your discomfort as you would any general soreness.
Loose Wire or Band
Don't be alarmed if a wire or band comes loose. This happens occasionally. If a wire protrudes and is irritating, use a blunt instrument (back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil) and carefully, gently push the irritating wire under the archwire. Simply get it out of the way. If irritation to the lips or mouth continues, place wax or wet cotton on the wire to reduce the annoyance. Call our office as soon as possible for an appointment so Dr. Chang can check and repair the appliances. If any piece comes off, please save it and bring it with you to the office.
Emergency Care
If you have severe pain, a loose band, a broken wire, or something sticking out you can't take care of, call us for an emergency appointment. It's important to know the names of the parts of your appliances. It will help when you phone the office to identify what part is broken or out of place.