All orthodontic appliances have a tendency to trap particles of food and collect plaque. You will notice that it is much harder to keep your teeth clean when wearing orthodontic appliances. This makes brushing and flossing even more important to prevent the buildup of plaque, which produces gum inflammation and tooth decay.
Pictures courtesy ASO site: www.aso.org.au
It is important during orthodontic appliance care that you do not:
You should avoid foods and soft drinks that are acidic and/or high in sugar as they promote tooth decay. You will also need to avoid hard, sticky or crunchy foods as they can pull brackets off and bend wires which will slow your treatment. Remember to check your appliance regularly for anything loose or bent.
We recommend that you see your dentist every 6 months for a dental check-up and fluoride application.
Orthodontic emergencies occur occasionally and although they may be a little upsetting for the patient and parents, they are usually fairly simple to treat. For some emergencies, you may need to contact our office for assistance.
If you require urgent assistance outside our regular office hours, an alternative number is given on our answering service.
Many patients lose a separator at the start of treatment. Do not worry as it is normally the result of the space opening. If you lose a separator contact the surgery so we can assess what action to take.
It is normal for a patient to have discomfort for a few days after braces are fitted or adjusted. It can make eating uncomfortable, especially harder foods. This discomfort is both normal and temporary. If the patient is allowed to have over-the-counter pain relievers, then a regular dose of Nurofen or Panadol would normally be effective.
This is not an emergency, but can be a little uncomfortable or embarrassing for the patient. It is easily fixed with a piece of dental floss or use an interproximal brush or toothpick to dislodge food caught between the teeth and braces.
Some patients are susceptible to episodes of mouth ulcers. While braces do not cause them, they may be precipitated or exacerbated by an irritation from braces. One or several areas of ulceration of the cheeks, lips or tongue may appear. This is not an emergency, but may be very uncomfortable for the patient. Prompt relief may be achieved by applying a small amount of topical anaesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel) directly to the ulcerated surface using a cotton swab. This should be reapplied as needed. Warm salt water mouth rinses are also very helpful.
New braces can be irritating to the mouth, especially when the patient is eating. A small amount of non-medicinal relief wax makes an excellent buffer between the metal and mouth. It is best to dry the area before applying the wax. Simply pinch off a small piece of wax and roll it into a ball the size of a small pea. Flatten the ball and place it completely over the area of the braces causing irritation. Sugarless chewing gum is similarly very useful.
Occasionally the end of a wire will work itself out of place and irritates the mouth. Often the discomfort caused by a wire can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small amount of wax or sugarless chewing gum. In a situation where the wire is extremely bothersome you may clip the wire using a pair wire cutters or sharp nail clippers. Of course contact our surgery if you need any advice or need to be seen to correct the problem.
Brackets are the part of braces attached to teeth with a special adhesive. The bracket can be knocked off for various reasons. Loose brackets may be discarded or rotated on the wire back into place until an appointment can be arranged.
The teeth and jaws may be tender for a few days. Over-the-counter pain medications can be useful for relieving the discomfort.
It may be more difficult to chew food. It is recommended to eat softer foods while adjusting to the Forsus. You may find cutting your food into bite-sized pieces is easier than biting into foods.
The rods may make the inside of the cheeks a little sore. Place a cotton roll, folded tissue or make-up pad between the cheek and rod/spring to provide a softer surface for the cheeks. Occasionally, mouth ulcers can develop in which case warm salt water rinses and topical anaesthetic can be used.
If a bracket becomes loose, please contact our office to arrange an appointment as soon as is convenient.
If the rod becomes separated from the spring (sometimes from yawning or opening the mouth too wide) try to re-engage the rod by compressing the spring and inserting the rod into the spring.
If any of the parts of the Forsus (ie, rod or spring) disconnects from the braces please remove the loose pieces to avoid swallowing and contact our office to arrange an appointment as soon as is convenient. If possible, please bring the pieces with you to your appointment.