Take care of your Braces!

While your orthodontist can straighten your teeth, you are the only one who can keep your healthy and white, and you can do this by regular and proper brushing. Now that you have braces, however, proper brushing will take some extra time and effort. Remember - you have to brush and rings until your teeth and bases as spotlessly
clean !

Your main problem is plaque, which is sticky, white substances that collects on your teeth. Plaque is made up of food, bacteria and saliva. Plaque and trapped food left on your teeth and around your braces can lead to swollen gums, bad breath, and marks on teeth and cavities. Plaque can also discolor your teeth and make them yellow.

To counter plaque, you have to brush properly and regularly. You should use the kind of toothbrush and tooth paste your orthodontist recommends. Brush after every meal, especially if you have eaten any thing sweet or sticky. If this is not possible at least rinse your teeth well until you can brush.

It is most important that at least once every day you vigorously brush your teeth and braces until they are spotlessly clean. As this takes extra time, most patients do this at night before going to bed. Be sure that you remove every trace of plaque and trapped food from all surfaces of your teeth. Check all fronts, backs, tops and under your wires. Pay special attention to brushing the gum line as plaque left there will cause your gum to be sore and swollen, and this makes brushing harder.

After brushing, you should rings thoroughly by swishing the water all around your mouth and teeth. Then inspect your teeth and braces carefully to ensure that they are indeed spotless. You can do this by looking closely in well-lighted mirror. This is very important because you can not feel plaque, but usually you see it. You may have to brush and rinse twice or thrice before all the plaque is gone.

Elastic: working hard for your smile!

Elastics, also called rubber bands, are often an essential part of the orthodontic treatment. These supply the pressure needed to move teeth and jaws into the correct position. It is imperative that you carefully follow the instructions you receive regarding the placement and use of your elastics. Any time missed in wearing your elastics will cause a delay in the treatment. Remember :

1. You are responsible for placing elastics on your braces between appointments. Be sure to wear these as instructed. Remove only when you brush your teeth, gums and braces after meals, and put them back on immediately.

2. Always carry a few elastics with you so if one breaks you can replace immediately.

3. If you forget to insert your elastics one day do not double up the next. Just follow your regular instructions.

4. Elastics get tired, too ! Elastics will loose their stretch and when they do, they don't do proper the pressure on your teeth and jaws. As such, it is very important that you change them as directed, even when they are not broken. Elastics may cause your teeth to hurt a little in the beginning. The reason is your teeth are moving, which really our goal. The tenderness will last only a few days. Now remember, if you do not wear your elastics as instructed, the tenderness will last longer and tooth movement will require more time. If you have any problems, such as elastics breaking frequently, a hook breaking off of a wire loosening, call your orthodontist immediately as these problems need to corrected as soon as possible. Faithfully wearing your elastics, following all instructions and keeping all appointments will allow you to quickly and easily achieve our goal - a lifetime of healthy and beautiful smiles.

Retention : Hold that Smile!

Ok, your braces are gone! No more elastics either! Are we done? Not quit yet. The active treatment is over, but there is still one or more important step. Retention is the final stage of your treatment, and it is at this point that finishing touches are applied to help ensure a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles. Retainers are designed to hold your teeth in the corrected position until your bones and gums adapt to the change. You must wear retainers exactly as you have been instructed; otherwise, your teeth may move back to their original positions and the benefits of wearing braces will be lost. The retention process takes time and you must be patient. The time varies with individual patients. Some children and adults may have to wear retainers for an extended period of time to ensure that there are no shifting of the teeth. In some cases, permanent retention may even be necessary. At this point, your orthodontist's work is completed and it is up to you to maintain your beautiful smile by following retention instructions. Remember, for your retainers to do their important job, you should:

1. Wear your retainers. Faithfully follow your orthodontist's instructions.

2. Keep your retainers clean. After meals, clean all parts of your retainers with a brush as directed. If you are not able to brush, rinse the retainers and your mouth. If your lower retainer is attached to your teeth, you have to clean under the wire with dental floss.

3. Handle your retainers with care. It is easy to lose your retainers. They can fall out of pockets or purses or they can be inadvertently wrapped and thrown away. If you are instructed to leave the retainers out part of the time, keep them in a safe place. your orthodontist may want you to keep your retainers in a moist place when they are not being worn.

At this point, you are almost done with the treatment. It has not always been easy, but you have gone so far. Do not lose what you and your orthodontist have so painstakingly achieved. Your teeth need time to adapt to their new position - give them that time, and receive a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles!

Orthodontic Headgear

Orthodontic headgear creates special forces that guide the growth of the face and jaws. It is also used to move teeth into better positions or to prevent teeth from moving to the wrong positions. Regular use of your headgear translates to best results. It is important that you follow instructions on the number of hours each day you should wear your headgear. failure to follow instructions may cause treatment time to lengthen and doctor's treatment plan to change. Worst, the expected final results may even be affected. Here are some advise on the use of your headgear: Always be careful to remove your headgear as you were shown. With improper removal, the part that fits in your mouth and attaches to your teeth could injure your cheeks, lips, face or even your eyes. Never attempt to remove your headgear until the staps have been disconnected. Never try to lift your headgear over your face. Never wear your headgear when involved in physical activities such as running or playing sports. Never allow anyone to grab or pull on your headgear. People who do not wear headgears may not understand the dangers involved. Take proper care of your headgear and take it with you to every appointment. If it becomes soiled, Your orthodontist will advise you on how to clean it. Your teeth may be tender or even slightly loose the first few days you wear your headgear. This is normal so do not be discouraged or alarmed. The tenderness will disappear as you adjust to the new pressure. If you continue to be uncomfortable for more than a few days, consult your orthodontist right away. Orthodontic Headgear Orthodontic headgear creates special forces that guide the growth of the face and jaws. It is also used to move teeth into better positions or to prevent teeth from moving to the wrong positions. Regular use of your headgear translates to best results. It is important that you follow instructions on the number of hours each day you should wear your headgear. failure to follow instructions may cause treatment time to lengthen and doctor's treatment plan to change. Worst, the expected final results may even be affected. Here are some advise on the use of your headgear:

1. Always be careful to remove your headgear as you were shown. With improper removal, the part that fits in your mouth and attaches to your teeth could injure your cheeks, lips, face or even your eyes.

2. Never attempt to remove your headgear until the staps have been disconnected.

3.Never try to lift your headgear over your face.

4. Never wear your headgear when involved in physical activities such as running or playing sports.

5. Never allow anyone to grab or pull on your headgear. People who do not wear headgears may not understand the dangers involved.

Take proper care of your headgear and take it with you to every appointment. If it becomes soiled, Your orthodontist will advise you on how to clean it. Your teeth may be tender or even slightly loose the first few days you wear your headgear. This is normal so do not be discouraged or alarmed. The tenderness will disappear as you adjust to the new pressure. If you continue to be uncomfortable for more than a few days, consult your orthodontist right away.