Brush 'em Floss 'Em FiX 'em
Life With Braces
Caring for your Braces- Protect your investment
Brushing your teeth with braces
Brushing and flossing your teeth is CRITICAL when you have braces. When you get your braces, we will show you how to brush and floss in order to maintain healthy gums. Every time you come into our office for a visit Dr. Bret will evaluate your teeth and gum tissues to make sure that you are are brushing correctly.
Download these instructions here to print at home
Brushing Instructions
Brushing: Step 1
Put your tooth brush at a 45 degree angle to your gum tissue
Brushing: Step 2
Brush your teeth gently flushing out debris that are located within the braces
Brushing: Step 3
Brush the outer, inner, and top chewing surface of the teeth
Brushing: Step 4
Use the tip of the brush to clean the front inside surface of the top and bottom teeth
Flossing Instructions
Flossing: Step 1
Using a piece of floss about 18 inches long, carefully thread the end between braces and wire. You may find a floss threader helpful.
Flossing: Step 2
Carefully floss around the braces.
Flossing: Step 3
Carefully, floss around the gum tissue
Flossing: Step 4
Use the tip of the brush to clean the front inside surface of the top and bottom teeth
Orthodontic Emergencies and how to fix them
Wire Poking
There are some common issues that can occur with braces. Some solutions to help correct these issues are below. You can always call our office or chat with us if you are experiencing any of the following issues.
The American Association of Orthodontists has released a guide to resolving most orthodontic Emergencies that can be downloaded and printed from here.
Occasionally, the end of a wire will work itself out of place and irritate your mouth. You can use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to push the wire so that it is flat against the tooth. If the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position, cover it with relief wax. Please call us to make us aware of the problem and we let you know the best course of action.
In a situation where the wire is extremely bothersome, and you will not be able to us anytime soon, you may, as a last resort, clip the wire. Reduce the possibility of the patient swallowing the snipped piece of wire by using folded tissue or gauze around the area. Use a pair of sharp clippers and snip off the protruding wire. Relief wax may still be necessary to provide comfort to the irritated area.
Loose Brackets
Brackets are the parts of braces attached to teeth with a special glue. They are generally positioned in the center of each tooth. The bracket can be knocked off if the patient has eaten something hard or crunchy or if the mouth is struck while at play. We want all of our patients to wear a protective mouth guard while playing sports.)
If the bracket is off the tooth and slides on the wire, the glue may have failed. Call us and let us know so we can make sure there is enough time for us to fix it when you come in for your appointment.
Sore spots are a normal part of the braces process. The braces may irritate your cheeks, the tongue our the area round your lips as you get used tot he braces. To help the sore spot heal and to provide relief to the areas around the irritation please use wax that we provide to cover the bracket or wire that seems to be causing the sore spot. If the sore spot does not go away after two or three days, or if it seems to be getting worse, then call us, so we can make you more comfortable.
Sore Spots
Soreness of the teeth
Soreness during braces or Invisalign is not uncommon. Usually, the soreness is the greatest at the beginning, then first night the braces are placed on the teeth. Dr. Bret uses brackets and wires that produce the least force on the teeth initially to reduce normal soreness.
If the tenderness is severe, take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or whatever you normally take for headaches or similar pain. Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and Naproxen Sodium (Naprosyn, Anaprox) actually slow the tooth movement, so it is not advisable to use them frequently while wearing braces.