TOOTHBRUSHING: The rule is simple. Each tooth, one at a time, must be spotlessly cleaned at the gumline after the night's final meal or snack. Other brushings during the day can be casual brushing to eliminate odors, but prior to bed your teeth need to be spotless. Without good toothbrushing and flossing you might get cavities, white spots (decalcification), or swollen gums. Toothbrushes especially designed for braces are available at the front desk at a nominal cost. return to top

PAIN: Expect some pain. The 12-48 hour time period after an adjustment will be the peak of discomfort. This can usually be managed with alternating doses of Tylenol and Advil every 2 hours during waking hours. (The recommended dose is 1000mg for a 150 pound patient or 600mg for a 100 pound patient.) Wax is provided, and more is available anytime, to place on areas that might be irritating your cheeks or lips. At first you may want to use the wax at bedtime before you think it is needed. Chewing on your Bite Wafer will also help minimize the pain. Also, a prescription for a topical ointment is provided for mouth ulcers, which may occur in the first few weeks of treatment. return to top

LOOSE TEETH: Looseness of teeth is normal in the process of moving teeth. The teeth will become rigidly fixed again at the end of treatment when retainers are worn. These retainers hold the loose teeth in position until they can tighten again. return to top

HARD/STICKY FOODS: Hard foods such as ice, popcorn, chewing gum, or hard candies WILL BREAK YOUR BRACES!!! Also, chewing ICE or PENS will have the same effect. Taco shells, pizza crust, pretzels, bagels, nuts and breath mints will also damage the braces. Forbidden foods include hard mints, Gummy-bears, Jolly Ranchers, Fruit Wrinkles, Fun Fruits, Now-Or-Laters, Skittles, Sour Balls, Starbursts, Twizzlers, Tangy Taffy, Nerds, Sweet Tarts, Lemon Heads or anything like these candies. Many patients ask if they can just put hard candy in their mouth and not chew. Placing hard candy (ice or pens,too) in your mouth is an unnecessary risk and, if you briefly chew, the resulting broken braces could be expensive to have repaired. Also, carbonated drinks will dissolve the cement used to hold the bands on the teeth. Please keep these to a minimum. Soft foods which can be substituted include fruit, dried apricots, pineapple chunks, raisins, or soft candies such as plain Hershey's kisses, Nestles crunch bars, plain M&M's, or Reese's pieces. Brush within 5 minutes of eating sweets to help reduce the risk of decay. return to top

KEEPING APPOINTMENTS: It is essential that you keep your scheduled appointments. As a courtesy, appointments are routinely confirmed the day or two before your appointment. We will see you every 5-10 weeks, depending on what we are trying to accomplish. The progress of your treatment is not directly related to the frequency of your appointments. Remember, damage to the roots of your teeth can occur if we try to move your teeth too fast. return to top

REGULAR DENTAL CLEANING: Keep regular visits with your family dentist every 6 months while in treatment to insure a healthy result. Your dentist looks at things that the orthodontist does not evaluate. return to top

ATHELETICS: Wearing braces will not limit your athletic activities. Braces actually protect your teeth against injury. Mouthguards are available at the front desk at a nominal cost for additional protection. return to top

EMERGENCIES: Occasionally, a part of your braces may come loose. If a wire is irritating, then simply push the wire out of the way with the eraser end of pencil or your fingernail. Remember, wax can be used on irritating places, too. Emergency appointments may be made when there is pain or discomfort from something broken and you want us to check it. We are available by pager. In the event of an emergency, call the office, leave your name and phone number, then page us as instructed. return to top

YOUR FEEDBACK COUNTS: Please let us know if something is bothering you so we can attempt to fix it. Remember, we work for you and we always want to hear any comments about how we can serve our patients better. If you think our service is excellent, please tell your friends and acquaintances. We enjoy our work and would enjoy creating gorgeous, healthy smiles for your friends, too! return to top