Care of Appliances

To successfully complete the orthodontic treatment, the patient must work together with the orthodontist and team. Consider the braces as delicate jewellery on your teeth. Care must be taken to achieve the best possible results.The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the rubber bands, headgear or other appliances as prescribed. Damaged or broken appliances lengthen the treatment time and may result in tooth or tissue damage. Please be careful during your orthodontic treatment.

Brushing

It is 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. Dr. Saikaly recommends visiting your dentist every 3-4 months during orthodontic treatment. It’s a small investment with huge rewards! Adults who have a history of gum disease should also see a periodontist (gum and bone specialist) during orthodontic treatment. Please let us know if you are in need of a periodontist.

General Soreness

When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and your teeth may be tender to chewing for several days. This is very normal. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt waterrinse. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin/tylenol/advil or whatever you normally take for headache or 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. You can place wax on the braces to help relieve the soreness. We will show you how! Keep the wax nearby at all times, and as Dr. Saikaly always says, “ the wax will be your best friend.”

Loosening of Teeth

This is to be expected throughout treatment. Please don't worry! It's normal. Teeth must loosen first so they can be moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new – corrected – positions.

Loose Wire or Band

Don't be alarmed if a wire or band comes loose. This happens occasionally. If wire protrudes and is irritating, use a blunt instrument (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, wet cotton, or sugarless gum on the wire to reduce the discomfort. Call Orleans Orthodontics as soon as possible for an appointment to check and repair the appliances. If any piece comes off, save it and bring it with you to the office.