PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS
Brushing and Flossing with Braces
Keeping teeth clean with braces is more difficult. Poor brushing and flossing can leave your teeth with ugly discolorations, stains, or even cavities around the braces. Watch this video for instructions to keep your teeth clean and healthy.
Eating Habits with Braces
It is important to avoid picking at your braces or eating hard or sticky foods. These habits can cause damage by bending wires, loosening cement under bands and tubes that are attached to the bands.
Examples of foods/items to avoid:
The First Few Days
It is normal to feel soreness during the first few days. Try to eat softer foods and smaller bites. Cold drinks tend to help, such as shakes and slushes. We also recommend rotating Tylenol and Ibuprofen every 4-6 hours as needed.
Emergencies
If you have a serious injury to the mouth, and you are unable to reach us, we recommend you either go directly to the Emergency Room or call your general dentist to obtain the appropriate care.
If you have an issue with your braces/appliances, please call before you come in. We can generally talk you through the use of wax or clippers. This will also allow us to assess the problem and determine the appropriate amount of time needed if you need to come in for a visit. Our goal is to accommodate you as soon as possible based on the urgency of the situation.
Mouthguards
If you play sports, always remember to wear a mouthguard. Upon request, we will provide you with a proper orthodontic mouthguard.
Retainers
Retainers are appliances designed to “retain” the position of your teeth. Without retainers, your teeth are free to move to wherever the pressures of your mouth push them. We would like to stress the importance of wearing your retainer as instructed. We will NEVER tell you to stop wearing your retainer. If your retainer is lost, broken, or misplaced, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE ASAP as your teeth may begin to go crooked.
Other tips:
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Do not eat or drink anything with your retainers in your mouth. WATER ONLY!
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When your retainers are out of your mouth, PLACE THEM IN YOUR CASE.
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NEVER, EVER wrap your retainers in a napkin, place in your pocket, or leave in reach of animals.
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Clean your retainers with soap and water on a toothbrush and rinse thoroughly.
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DO NOT use toothpaste to scrub your retainer (it will scratch it).
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DO NOT place retainer in hot/boiling water or leave in a hot parked car.
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Avoid flipping or playing with your retainer with your tongue.
Invisalign Instructions
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Aligners MUST be worn 22 hours per day.
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Wear each aligner for one week.
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Do not eat or drink anything with your aligners in your mouth. Water Only.
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When the aligners are out of your mouth, place them in your INVISALIGN CASE. NEVER wrap them in a napkin or paper towel.
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Cleaning/Sanitizing - Soap and water with a tooth brush is recommended. DO NOT use toothpaste or hot/boiling water.
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Chewies are very important to use the first 3 days of a new aligner. Chewies assist in the movement of your teeth.
Other tips
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Attachments are placed to assist the aligner with tooth movement for your specific needs. Please let us know if one comes off.
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Each aligner is numbered in case you get them mixed up. (Upper - U 01, Lower - L 01)
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Keep your aligners out of the reach of animals.
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Never leave your aligners in a hot car...they will distort.
Poor habits can lead to tooth discoloration:
** DO NOT allow wire appliances to soak for more than 15 minutes. Remove promptly and rinse thoroughly with water.
If you have other questions,
please contact our office and we will be happy to assist you!
817.441.8700