1. Clean Your Teeth and Braces
It’s more important than ever to keep your teeth clean when you’re wearing braces. We recommend that you use the following tools:
- Toothbrushes (both the manual and power kind)
- Fluoride toothpaste
- Fluoride rinse
- Dental floss
- Interproximal brush – It’s a tiny, disposable brush that’s small enough to slip under the archwire of your braces. The brush helps you remove plaque and food particles, and reach spots between teeth and brackets.
2. Follow Instructions
If you need to wear rubber bands, retainers and/or any other fixed or removable orthodontic appliances such as biteplates, headgear or a facemask, be sure to closely follow the doctor’s advice on proper use.
3. Maintain Scheduled Appointments
Your appointments are part of the plan that the doctor has designed to take you through all the stages of orthodontic treatment. Sometimes we need a short appointment for very small adjustments. On other occasions we need to make major changes in your appliances. That’s why every scheduled appointment is an important part of your treatment.
4. Show Up On Time for Appointments
Your appointments are set aside just for you. Please be considerate of our other patients who are also expecting to be seen on time. This will ensure that the doctor has the time he needs to give everyone the proper treatment without unnecessary delays.
5. Wear a Mouthguard (If You Play Sports)
The American Dental Association says you’re 60 percent more likely to have an injury while playing sports when you don’t wear a mouth guard. Protect your face and your braces — an injury to your face could damage your braces and orthodontic appliances.
6. Avoid Certain Prohibited Foods
Stay away from hard, sticky, brittle, and crunchy foods while you’re wearing braces. Also, slice raw vegetables and fruits into bite-sized pieces and don’t chew on ice cubes.
7. Inform Us About Loose or Broken Appliances
If something is loose or broken, please call during office hours to make an appointment to come in to have it repaired as soon as possible. It’s best not to wait until your next appointment. Place any piece that comes off in an envelope and bring it with you. Please let us know in advance what is loose or broken so we could reserve the appropriate amount of time for the repair.
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