Care
Now that you are on track with your orthodontic plan, here are our some of the most important recommendations for maintaining your treatment and keeping your teeth healthy.
Braces
Food Guidelines:
We recommend a well-balanced, soft-textured diet, which is free of hard, sticky, high sugar food. And if you do eat sugary foods, as we all do, remember to always brush well after eating! Did you know that by simply being careful and following the guidelines provided, you can prevent 90% of all broken or loose bracket? It's not so much what you eat as how you eat it.
| Thumbs up: | Easy does it: | Avoid at all costs: |
| Soups | Popcorn (no kernels) | Ice |
| Pasta | Raw veggies (thinly sliced) | Bubblegum |
| Yogurt | Whole fruits (cut in pieces) | Hard candy |
| Mashed potatoes | Pizza crust | Sticky candy |
| Sugarless gum | Corn on the cob (off the cob) | Nuts |
| Eggs | Meat (off the bone) | Sugared drinks |
Common Problems:
Discomfort
It is typical to experience minor discomfort for 2–3 days after the placement of your braces. This can be managed by eating softer foods, as well as using a non-prescription pain reliever, such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol. As you adjust to your new appliances/braces, your cheeks may become irritated. Orthodontic wax, as provided to you, should be placed directly on the bracket for relief and comfort.
Loose or Broken Braces/Appliances
It happens! Don’t worry. Please call our office @780.434.6860 (during business hours) and we can help determine if a repair should be done quickly, or may wait until your next appointment. Your treatment and comfort comes first.
Poking Wires
Here are a couple of tips to manage the discomfort until we can see you.
- using a pair of tweezers, grip the wire between your two front teeth and slide it carefully in the opposite direction of the poking wire
- apply orthodontic wax
We will definitely want to snip the troublesome wire right away for you, so please contact us and we can get you in for a quick fix!
Here are a handful of other tips for keeping your teeth healthy and braces maintained!
Retainers
With a great smile comes great responsibility! We want you to keep your new smile forever and retainers are essential to keep your teeth from shifting after the braces come off. Your retainers are designed to hold your teeth in their corrected positions until the bones and gums adapt to the changes.
There are a few different retainer types available and will be prescribed by Dr. Palmer based on your individual treatment. One set of retainers is included in your treatment fee.
Essix Retainer
A removable, clear/transparent fitting retainer that snaps into place covering your teeth.
Hawley Retainer
Consists of a metal wire anchored into a molded acrylic arch that sits on the roof of your mouth.
Fixed Bonded Retainer
Passive wire bonded to the tongue side of the designated teeth.
Wear & Care Instructions:
- Removable retainers are worn full time (day & night) except for meals, brushing, & contact sports. After 2 months, night time wear only is required.
- Monitoring by Dr. Palmer is done at 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Please bring your retainer to your appointment.
- After 2 years, self-monitoring is required. If your retainer becomes tight or uncomfortable, you will know you are not wearing it enough.
- Keep your retainer in the case provided when it is not in your mouth. Keep your case SAFE.
- Brush your retainer with water (only) as part of your daily routine
- Never place your retainer in boiling or hot water
- Retainer tablets are available in most pharmaceutical stores for weekly soaking
- Floss your bonded/fixed retainer with a floss-threader
Contact our office as soon as possible if you have lost or broken your retainer or have had a bonded retainer fall off. Please bring any broken retainers with you to your appointment.