CURRENT PATIENTS
We are so happy to have you as one of our valued patients! Always striving to make your orthodontic experience as seamless as possible, we’re standing by ready to answer any questions or concerns. In a hurry? Check out our list of resources below to help you get started.
GENERAL BRACES CARE
Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them? It is important for you to know how to properly maintain your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.
Brushing & Flossing
When you have braces, it is very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout treatment. We also recommend that you visit your dentist every 3-4 months for regular cleanings. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and appliance.
Playing Sports
Game, Set, Match – we have great news for athletes! You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it is recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. If you play sports and require a mouthguard, please let the team at Tasios Orthodontics know and your first sportsguard is on us!
In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve any discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.
EATING WITH BRACES
For the first couple of days with braces, choose a softer diet to reduce chewing and discomfort. During orthodontic treatment, avoid hard or sticky foods. Don’t worry, you’ll be eating popcorn and snacking on granola bars again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.
Foods To Avoid
Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
Crunchy foods — popcorn, ice
Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots
Foods To Enjoy
Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake
EMERGENCY CARE
True orthodontic emergencies are rare, but when they occur, we are here to help you. As a general rule, you should call our office when you experience severe pain or have a painful appliance problem that you are unable take care of yourself.
We’ll be able to schedule an appointment in a timely manner to resolve the problem.
You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to solve many problems yourself temporarily until you can get to our office.
If there is a loose piece that you can remove, put it in a plastic bag or envelope and bring it with you to your next appointment.
After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office to schedule a time to repair the problem.
Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions to your treatment plan.
Soreness
When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal.
To help relieve any discomfort, we recommend taking a pain reliever that you would typically take for a headache (ie. Advil or Tylenol). It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for the first 1-2 weeks until they toughen up and become used to the braces.
In your oral hygiene kit, we provided you with some wax that you can place over some of your braces to lessen the discomfort. Before placing wax on a particular bracket, please do your best to make sure the bracket is dry to help the wax stick better. We also recommend rinsing with a glass of warm water with a teaspoon of salt for a few minutes to further help.
Loose Wire
If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it if needed for comfort.
If the bracket can be removed easily, place it in an envelope and bring it with you to your next appointment.
Loose/Poking Wire
You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using a pencil eraser to push the poking wire down or place wax on it so that it is no longer poking. If you cannot put the wire into a comfortable position, use a fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If the end of the wire is still sharp, place wax on it.
Appliance Care
Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear your rubber bands, retainer, or other appliances prescribed by your doctor.