Caring For Your Braces/FAQs
How Foods can Affect Orthodontic Appliances
Orthodontic appliances can be delicate, and are weakened, loosened, and broken by pressures caused by eating certain foods. To avoid damaging appliances, please follow these guidelines.
Foods to Avoid:
Cut the Following Foods Into Chewable Pieces:
Orthodontic appliances can be delicate, and are weakened, loosened, and broken by pressures caused by eating certain foods. To avoid damaging appliances, please follow these guidelines.
Foods to Avoid:
- hard foods -- such as ice, popcorn kernels, hard candy, nuts, peanut brittle, etc.
- sticky foods -- such as gum, caramel, taffy, licorice, sticky candy bars, gumdrops, Tootsie Rolls, candied apples, etc.
- crunchy foods -- such as tacos, Doritos, Fritos, pretzels, nachos, or any hard-shelled food or snack
Cut the Following Foods Into Chewable Pieces:
- hard crusts -- such as pizza, or any hard or thick bread
- hard vegetables -- such as raw carrots, celery, or radishes; and cut corn off the cob
- hard fruits -- such as raw apples, pears, or peaches
Important Facts About Orthodontic Treatment
- Missed appointments delay treatment progress.
- Remember to bring headgear to all appointments.
- Stay away from hard, sticky, or crunchy foods.
- Loose or broken appliances may cause a delay in progress, or a loss instead of a gain.
- Please call the office to inform us of loose or broken appliances. Do not wait until your next appointment.
- Poor toothbrushing habits can result in gum disease and scarring of the tooth enamel.
- Wear headgear and/or elastics as prescribed. they provide a force that no other type of appliance can duplicate.
- Remember to continue with regular dental examinations and cleanings at your dentist's office.
- Retainer wear after braces are removed is as important to successful treatment results as the braces themselves.
- Orthodontic treatment requires a commitment from the patient, parents, and the doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since orthodontic treatment is extended over a considerable period of time, it is essential that a close and cooperative relationship exist between the patient, the parents, and the orthodontist. In order to accomplish the highest quality of results in the shortest time for everyone's convenience, we present the following questions and answers.
Q. What if I must miss an appointment?
A. Missed appointments can prolong treatment time. If for some reason you are unable to keep your appointment, please notify us as soon as possible. This will allow us to reschedule you at the earliest possible appointment time and place another patient in your previous time. If by any chance you do miss an appointment, call us immediately for a new one.
Q. Why can't I get an appointment at a convenient time?
A. Please understand that it is not always possible to arrange appointments to suit everyone's school or work schedule. We will try to accommodate your scheduling needs as well as we can within the confines of our office hours and in keeping with the doctor's scheduling policies. Appointments are made according to the amount of time the doctor anticipates he will need and the number of weeks he feels should pass between each appointment.
Q. How often do I have to wear my rubber bands/headgear/other appliance?
A. Follow all of your personalized instructions carefully. Wear your mouth elastics (rubber bands), headgear, or removable appliances as prescribed. If you are unsure of how to wear any appliance, please call the office to confirm your instructions. Improper wear can delay progress.
Q. Do I still need to see my dentist?
A. Continue to see your regular dentist for cleanings, and to be checked for cavities. Bands and brackets do not cause decay and will not be placed over an area in which decay is present. However, decay can occur on areas unprotected by the bands and brackets; these areas should be checked every six months.
Q. What foods should I avoid?
A. You should avoid the following:
Q. What if something comes loose or falls off?
A. If a band or bracket comes loose, don't wait for your next regular appointment! Phone the office immediately and arrange to have it repaired. Unnecessary delay may cause gum irritation, slow progress, and invite decay. Please call immediately if any appliance is lost or broken. Bring any remaining parts to our office.
Even if the emergency occurs on the day of your appointment, call ahead so we may be prepared to do extra procedures and arrange for extra time if available. Your cooperation in this area is a courtesy to your fellow patients.
Q. What do I do if my braces bother my mouth?
A. If the bands, brackets or wires bother your lips, gums, cheeks, or tongue, place a small piece of orthodontic wax (provided by the office) over the area. Such irritation will usually disappear after a day or so. If it doesn't, please call for an emergency visit. You are not to suffer!
Q. What if my mouth or teeth are tender or sore?
A. After appliances are inserted, and, in some cases, after treatment visits, a patient may complain of a general soreness of the mouth or tenderness of the teeth. If you experience this normal discomfort, it can be relieved by rinsing the mouth out with a hot salt-water solution (one teaspoon of salt in a tumbler of water) before and after each meal. Your druggist may also be able to recommend an over-the-counter rinse. An aspirin or non-aspirin over-the-counter pain reliever may be taken as well. If the soreness does not lessen after 2-3 days, you are advised to phone for an appointment so that an adjustment can be made.
Q. How often should I brush my teeth?
A. Brush your teeth and appliances after each meal and before going to bed. Poor oral hygiene habits or improper brushing techniques can result in undesirable effects to the teeth and surrounding tissue. Toothbrushes and instructions will be supplied at the initiation of treatment, and during treatment as needed.
Q. How long will treatment last?
A. The length of time of treatment varies with the severity of the malocclusion, interest and cooperation of the patient, and the response of the tissue to tooth movement. Every effort will be made to achieve the maximum results obtainable in the minimum amount of time. Remember, successful orthodontic treatment demands full cooperation between the parent, the patient, and the orthodontist. Three areas of patient responsibility deserve major emphasis:
Since orthodontic treatment is extended over a considerable period of time, it is essential that a close and cooperative relationship exist between the patient, the parents, and the orthodontist. In order to accomplish the highest quality of results in the shortest time for everyone's convenience, we present the following questions and answers.
Q. What if I must miss an appointment?
A. Missed appointments can prolong treatment time. If for some reason you are unable to keep your appointment, please notify us as soon as possible. This will allow us to reschedule you at the earliest possible appointment time and place another patient in your previous time. If by any chance you do miss an appointment, call us immediately for a new one.
Q. Why can't I get an appointment at a convenient time?
A. Please understand that it is not always possible to arrange appointments to suit everyone's school or work schedule. We will try to accommodate your scheduling needs as well as we can within the confines of our office hours and in keeping with the doctor's scheduling policies. Appointments are made according to the amount of time the doctor anticipates he will need and the number of weeks he feels should pass between each appointment.
Q. How often do I have to wear my rubber bands/headgear/other appliance?
A. Follow all of your personalized instructions carefully. Wear your mouth elastics (rubber bands), headgear, or removable appliances as prescribed. If you are unsure of how to wear any appliance, please call the office to confirm your instructions. Improper wear can delay progress.
Q. Do I still need to see my dentist?
A. Continue to see your regular dentist for cleanings, and to be checked for cavities. Bands and brackets do not cause decay and will not be placed over an area in which decay is present. However, decay can occur on areas unprotected by the bands and brackets; these areas should be checked every six months.
Q. What foods should I avoid?
A. You should avoid the following:
- hard foods -- such as ice, popcorn kernels, hard candy, nuts, peanut brittle, etc.
- sticky foods -- such as caramels, gum, taffy, licorice, sticky candy bars, gumdrops, Tootsie Rolls, candied apples, etc.
- crunchy foods -- such as tacos, Doritos, Fritos, pretzels, nachos, or any hard-shelled food or snack
- hard bread crusts -- such as pizza, French bread, or any think or hard bread
- hard vegetables -- such as carrots, celery, or corn on the cob
- hard fruits -- such as apples, pears, peaches
Q. What if something comes loose or falls off?
A. If a band or bracket comes loose, don't wait for your next regular appointment! Phone the office immediately and arrange to have it repaired. Unnecessary delay may cause gum irritation, slow progress, and invite decay. Please call immediately if any appliance is lost or broken. Bring any remaining parts to our office.
Even if the emergency occurs on the day of your appointment, call ahead so we may be prepared to do extra procedures and arrange for extra time if available. Your cooperation in this area is a courtesy to your fellow patients.
Q. What do I do if my braces bother my mouth?
A. If the bands, brackets or wires bother your lips, gums, cheeks, or tongue, place a small piece of orthodontic wax (provided by the office) over the area. Such irritation will usually disappear after a day or so. If it doesn't, please call for an emergency visit. You are not to suffer!
Q. What if my mouth or teeth are tender or sore?
A. After appliances are inserted, and, in some cases, after treatment visits, a patient may complain of a general soreness of the mouth or tenderness of the teeth. If you experience this normal discomfort, it can be relieved by rinsing the mouth out with a hot salt-water solution (one teaspoon of salt in a tumbler of water) before and after each meal. Your druggist may also be able to recommend an over-the-counter rinse. An aspirin or non-aspirin over-the-counter pain reliever may be taken as well. If the soreness does not lessen after 2-3 days, you are advised to phone for an appointment so that an adjustment can be made.
Q. How often should I brush my teeth?
A. Brush your teeth and appliances after each meal and before going to bed. Poor oral hygiene habits or improper brushing techniques can result in undesirable effects to the teeth and surrounding tissue. Toothbrushes and instructions will be supplied at the initiation of treatment, and during treatment as needed.
Q. How long will treatment last?
A. The length of time of treatment varies with the severity of the malocclusion, interest and cooperation of the patient, and the response of the tissue to tooth movement. Every effort will be made to achieve the maximum results obtainable in the minimum amount of time. Remember, successful orthodontic treatment demands full cooperation between the parent, the patient, and the orthodontist. Three areas of patient responsibility deserve major emphasis:
- There is no substitute for regular appointments, promptly kept
- Cleanliness is all-important! Teeth and gums must be brushed thoroughly after every meal and before going to bed.
- Be certain all instructions are understood and followed (for example: how and when to wear mouth elastics, headgear, and any removable appliance).
