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Now that you have started orthodontic treatment there are many things to be mindful of while wearing braces. We have created this page to give you an idea of what to expect during your treatment.

Length of Treatment – The length of time Dr. Harvey quoted when you got braces is only an estimate and can be lengthened by factors such as missed appointments, loose or broken appliances, poor oral hygiene and poor elastic wear.

Appointments – Periodic visits are an important part of orthodontic treatment. Generally, we will want to see you every 6-10 weeks to check your progress and make adjustments. During this time you will need to keep appointments, follow instructions as well as practice good oral hygiene. If for some reason you cannot keep your appointment, please contact our office; doing so allows another patient to use that time and we can reschedule your appointment right away. If it is after-hours, please call our office and leave a message.

Broken or Loose Appliances – Appliances break, wires need clipping, retainers get lost. If you have a problem with your appliance call our office; we will schedule you in as quickly as possible depending on the problem and the length of time until your next appointment; some things can wait, others need to be fixed right away. If it is after-hours, call our office and follow the emergency prompts.

Dental Care – You should continue to see your family dentist at six-month intervals while in braces. If your dental hygienist prefers, we can remove the wire before each cleaning and replace them afterwards. Let us know when your next cleaning is and we will schedule accordingly.

Brushing – You will notice it requires more time to keep your teeth clean with braces. Food tends to get stuck in the brackets and between your teeth, and can only be removed by brushing and flossing. Floss every day using floss threaders. If plaque remains on the teeth for any length of time, it will leave a permanent white scar on the surface. Brushing after each meal should become part of your daily routine.

Eating Habits – A healthy diet means a healthy body, healthy teeth and a better orthodontic result. Please do not et hard foods: nuts, ice, crisp taco shells, whole apples and carrots (cut into small pieces first), hard French bread crust and rolls, spareribs, corn on the cob (cut off the cob first), and popcorn. These foods risk breaking brackets and wires. Also, beware of nail biting and pen or pencil chewing habits. Do not eat sticky foods: taffy, caramels, bubble gum, sticky candy or any sort.

Foods to Avoid while Wearing Braces

Elastics – Elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn all the time and changed once a day. Any time missed in wearing your elastics will only make your treatment time longer. Be sure to remember these things once you are in elastics:

• You are responsible for placing the elastics on your braces between appointments. Be sure you understand completely where they are to be connected. Remove them only when brushing your teeth, gums and braces after each meal; put your elastics back on immediately.
• Always carry a few elastics with you, so if one breaks you can replace it right away. If your supply is low, call our office; we can mail them to you or can stop in and pick some up during office hours. Do not wear elastics prescribed for someone else.
• If you forget your elastics one day, do not double up the next; continue with your regular instructions.
• Elastics become worn out. When they loose their elasticity, they do not provide the proper pressure on your teeth and jaws. Change them daily even if they are not broken.
• If a hook breaks, call our office immediately; this is a problem that needs to be fixed right away.

Retainers – Retainers are very important to your orthodontic result and the first year after braces is always the most crucial. Your teeth will want to shift back into their original positions if retainers not worn.

• Until you are advised differently, wear your retainer all the time, except for playing sports and eating.
• Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
• Brush the retainers with cold water every time you brush your teeth. Soaking them in mouthwash for an hour will freshen them up.
• Retainers can easily be broken if they are not in your mouth or in their case. Avoid backpacks, back pockets, tabletops and places where the family pet can reach them.
• Never wrap your appliance in a paper napkin or tissue and set it down on the table; it may be thrown away. Whenever the appliance isn’t in your mouth, it should be in its case.
• If you break your retainer, do not try to fix it yourself. Call our office to schedule an appointment.
• Be careful not to click your retainer in and out or continually remove it to show friends. Your retainer will loose its fit.
• Retainers do not like heat. Avoid hot water, sunlight and do not microwave them. Do not boil your appliance to sterilize it. If needed, bring it to the office and we will be happy to disinfect it for you.
• ou may talk funny or salivate more when you first get your retainer. This normal and will improve with practice and time.
• Retainers are difficult to make and expensive to replace. Take care of yours. With proper care, your retainer will serve you well for a very long time.

The Patient’s Responsibility –

• Keep your appointments
• See your dentist every six months
• Brush your teeth after every meal
• Avoid eating sweets between meals unless the teeth can be cleaned immediately
• Avoid chewing ice, hard or stick candy, gum, and popcorn, playing with or dislodging appliances
• Avoid rough play where you could receive a blow to the face or could catch the appliances upon your clothing and dislodging or breaking them
• Please notify the office immediately if the appliance is loose, lost, broken or causing severe discomfort.