Problems faced During Treatment
Lost Separators (Spacers)
Before placing metal bands around the molar teeth, we put plastic spacers between the teeth. If the separators (spacers) fall out, place dental floss into the loose area if it goes easily come appointment.
Lost Band or Bond (Braces)
A brace consists of either a band surrounding a tooth or a bond applied to a tooth surface. If you lose or breat any of these, make an appointment right away.
Broken Wires or Poking Wires
Accidents or movement of teeth may cause discomfort to the inside surface of your cheeks. You can coverthe uncomfortable wire or brace with a small ball of wax or wetted cotton ball and return to the office at the next scheduled appointment.
Broken Retainers
During the retension period, if a retainer is broken, lose or lost, make an office appointment to adjust the retainers or to make a new retainer for an additional cost.
Tooth Pain
During the first few weeks of braces, patients feel minor pain and discomfort when chewing. This is normal. If the pain persists over two weeks, call the office.
Gum Swelling Pain
This usually occurs from the lack of adequate or proper toothbrushing. If gum swelling or pain occurs, brushwell several times a day and ingorm the doctor on the next scheduled appointment. Sometimes a loose molar band can cause this.
Proper toothbrushing is vital to your oral health and allows faster tooth movement by increasing blood circulation around the teeth. Improper toothbrushing can cause your teeth to be damaged by decalcification, cavities, gum swelling, bleeding or retraction, and can lengthen the duration in which you need to wear braces.
Flossing is recommended with proper toothbrushing.
Tooth Brushing
Eating Habits
Careless eating habits damage braces and cause delays in orthodontic treatment. Good eating habits are important for avoiding problems with your braces.
Avoid hard foods, sticky foods and foods high in sugar content.
Don't eat popcorn, nuts, peanut brittle, ice, lemon, corn-on-the-cob, corn chips, crispy tacos, taffy and caramel, gummy bears, hard candies, bubble gum(a thousand times NO), pizza crust, nor fresh carrot sticks. Do not bite into apples, other fruits or hard breads without cutting them into smaller pieces first.
