| Tips on caring for your new braces. | |
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 Clear and Silver  Colors Referrals A successful orthodontic practice just doesn't happen. It Is the result of a strong commitment to excellence and a special level of confidence we establish with patients, doctors and offices. We would like to take a moment to say, thank you, because the referral of friends, family members or colleagues Is one of the greatest compliments you can give to our practice. We sincerely appreciate your confidence In our ability to provide the best level of orthodontic treatment. We are also truly grateful to find out how many new patients regularly call on us based on your kind words of advice. Again, many thanks! |
Brushing & Flossing With Braces The best way to ensure a clean and healthy smile are brushing and flossing. Food particles can accumulate on teeth and in braces, and over time, turn into plaque. The bacteria that results from this accumulation can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and even loss of teeth. While you are in orthodontic treatment take special care of your braces, teeth and gums to ensure you will have the best possible result.  BrushingUse a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small strip of fluoride toothpaste. When you brush your teeth, move the brush in small, circular motions to reach food particles that may be under your gum line. Hold the toothbrush at an angle and brush slowly and carefully, covering all areas between teeth, between braces and the surface of each tooth. It will take several minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Brush up on the lower teeth, down on the upper teeth and the outside, inside and chewing surface of your front and back teeth. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth before you rinse. IMPORTANT: Especially during orthodontic treatment, brush your teeth four times daily to avoid the accumulation of food particles in your teeth and braces: 1) In the morning after breakfast 2) After lunch or right after school 3) After supper 4) At bedtime You will need to replace your toothbrush more often due to your appliances. As soon as the bristles start to wear down or fray, replace your toothbrush with a new one. It is important to floss and use an antibacterial mouthwash and fluoride treatment throughout your orthodontic treatment and beyond for optimal oral hygiene. Flossing  For areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can't reach, use dental floss to remove food particles and plague. Flossing takes more time and patience when you are wearing braces, but it is important to floss your teeth every day.Use the reusable floss threader provided by our office to floss under your archwire daily. Pull a small length of floss from the dispenser through the threader and slide it up and down along the front of each tooth. You will be able to feel when the tooth is clean and hear the squeak of the floss against your clean teeth. Use care around your archwire and do not floss too forcefully around it or put too much pressure on it. After you floss between your archwire and braces, floss between your other teeth and gums. If you are flossing without the floss threader, pull a small length of floss from the dispenser. Wrap the ends of the floss tightly around your middle fingers. Guide the floss between all teeth to the gum line, pulling out food particles or plague. Unwrap clean floss from around your fingers as you go, so that you have used the floss from the beginning to end when you finish. Floss behind all of your back teeth. Floss at night to make sure your teeth are clean before you go to bed. When you first begin flossing around your braces, your gums may bleed a little. If the bleeding does not go away after the first few times, inform a staff member at your next appointment. ..Back to the top.. Emergency Care What to do in case of emergency Sometimes parts of your appliances may become loose or cause irritations to your gums, lips or cheeks. Many of these situations you can take care of yourself, while others will need to be addressed in the office. Calling will help you determine how urgently the repair needs to take place, and will allow us to create a time to see you. Loose brackets or bands Call our office for advice if a brace or wire is loosened. The brace may need to be refitted as soon as possible. You may have a situation that requires cutting a wire or sliding a bracket off a wire at night or over the weekend. If you need to cut a wire, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. Please call our office the next day so that we may schedule an appointment for you. Please remember to bring any broken parts to the office when you come in for the repair. Wire irritations Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers. If you are not able to resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment. Lost separators Sometimes a separator will come out before your next appointment. This usually means that it has done its job and enough space has been created. A quick call to our office can be made to determine whether it needs to be replaced or not. Discomfort with Orthodontic Treatment During the first week after your braces are placed and routine adjustments are complete, you will likely feel some pain, soreness or discomfort. You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. ..Back to the top.. |
Heights Orthodontics - Billings, MT - 1-888-656-9658 • McQuinn Orthodontics - Cody, Powell & Thermopolis, WY - 1-800-404-9031 |
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