In
this page
some helpful hints are provided which can be handy in resolving some
minor problems you might come across while you are mastering the world
of braces.
Helpful hints in Oral Hygiene:
Always
brush with a soft bristle toothbrush after every meals.
Should
you have sores, keep an excellent hygiene and use Proxyl mouth rinse
Brush
for at least 10 Minutes once a day ( it feels like an eternity).
Floss once a day to get out all the stuff
your toothbrush misses.
Electric
tooth brushes such as Sonicare could help in improving the end-result.
Water
pick could also be used to help in cleaning your teeth and stimulating
your gums.
Use
a fluoride gel such as GelKam daily to reduce the chance of getting
cavities.
Avoid
foods / candies loaded with sugar.
If
food
becomes stuck between your teeth, use dental floss or a small proxy
brush to dislodge the food. It sometimes helps to tie a small knot in
the middle of the floss and then slide the floss back and forth between
the teeth.
Make sure you have a cleaning and check up by
your family dentist at least twice per year.
Avoid
any hard or sticky food. (Gum, Caramel, Whole Apple, Nuts, Pop corn,
Bagels, Pizza Crust, Carrots, Corn on the cob)
Other hints in handling Braces:
Protect your smile and wear a mouth
guard during contact sports.
Ask
about a night guard if you grind your
teeth.
If a wire is causing irritation,
try pushing the wire away from the area being irritated using the
eraser end of a pencil or a Q-tip. If the wire cannot be tucked in,
cover the end of the wire with a small piece of wax, a cotton ball, or
a piece of sugarless gum, until you can see your orthodontist for an
adjustment. Cutting the wire should only be done at extreme cases upon
consulting your orthodontist.
If
the main wire is loose
and has come out of the tube or pipe on the back molar tooth, you may
attempt to reinsert the wire with a pair of needle nosed pliers or
tweezers. If you are having a difficult time and the wire is not
sticking you, place a piece of wax over the area. If the wire is
sticking you and wax does not help, the wire can be cut with a small
wire cutter or toenail clipper close to the back of the last brace.
Cutting the wire should only be done as a last resort.
If
a bracket is loose,
in most cases, it will remain connected to the main wire by a little
rubber ring. You may use a pair of tweezers to reposition or remove the
brace if it flips around the wire and causes irritation. Call your
orthodontist's office to inform them of your situation.
If
a piece of your braces breaks, save the
piece and call your orthodontist office to inform them.
If
you swallow
a piece of your appliances, try to remain calm. A swallowed piece will
usually go in the stomach and pass out. However, if difficulty
breathing is experienced, you should seek immediate medical attention.
X-rays can determine the position of the swallowed piece if necessary.
If
your teeth are sore
after a monthly visit at your orthodontist, take Tylenol unless you are
allergic. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water or Peroxyl Oral Rinse
can also be soothing. If you teeth becomes sore suddenly in the middle
of the month, consult your orthodontist.
If
you have sores or cut inside
of your cheek, gums or tongue, as long as there is no continuous
bleeding, you could use antiseptic oral rinse such as Peroxyl to sooth
the discomfort.
If
you break off part of your tooth, locate the broken piece and take it
to your dentist immediately.
If
a permanent tooth is loose,
call your orthodontist to discuss the movement. A little movement is
normal when wearing braces, but if a tooth can be pushed up in the gums
with just finger pressure, that is unusual.
If
a permanent tooth is knocked out
of your mouth completely, pick the tooth up by its top or crown, not by
its root. Call your dentist for an emergency visit. consult your
dentist. In case there is no immediate access to your dentist proceed
with repositioning the tooth in place if possible. Inspect the tooth.
If the tooth is clean, attempt to place the tooth back into its socket.
If the tooth is dirty, rinse the tooth off in a cup of water or milk
before placing it back in its socket. Do not scrub the tooth. Compare
the appearance of the tooth to neighboring teeth to make sure the tooth
is not turned around backward. Hold the tooth in its socket and
immediately go to your dentist. If it is not possible for you to
reinsert the tooth in its socket, place the tooth in a container of
milk or water and carry it to your dentist immediately. If the tooth
remains outside of the mouth for a long time, it will not survive.
If
you think that you have a broken jaw,
immobilize the jaw by any means (handkerchief, necktie, towel). If
swelling is present, apply cold compresses. Call your dentist or go
immediately to a hospital emergency room. Have relatives bring any
picture of your smile to the hospital to aid the surgeons in
re-establishing your bite and smile.
