Home Care for Braces
Check your appliance once a week for anything loose or bent. If a bracket, band or other appliance comes loose or you break a wire, please call our office at (502) 227-1931 so that we can arrange an appointment long enough to repair it. Try to explain what has happened by using the diagram provided. Be as specific as possible with our Scheduling Coordinator. If you lose your rubber bands, call us so we can mail you more.
Sore Teeth
Oral Hygiene Overview
For a brief overview of oral hygiene tips, please click on the image below. It will launch our flash educational module in a separate window that may answer some of your questions about oral hygiene.
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After appliances are placed in the mouth it is normal for the teeth to be sore for about 2 or 3 days. Tylenol or Advil will help relieve this discomfort. Some irritation to the cheeks and tongue is normal, but if you feel anything sharp is poking you or any sores are developing, please call our office at (502) 227-1931 .
Elastics
Attached to your braces, elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn all the time and changed every day. Any time missed in wearing your elastics will only make your treatment take longer, so remember these things:
- You are responsible for placing the elastics on your braces between appointments. Make sure to wear them as instructed. Remove them only when brushing your teeth, gums and braces after meals. Then put them back on immediately.
- Always carry a few elastics with you, so if one breaks you can replace it right away. If your supply is low, call the office and we will mail you an additional supply of elastics.
- If you forget to insert your elastics one day, don't double up the next day — just follow your regular instructions.
- Elastics become worn out. When they lose their elasticity, they don't provide the proper pressure on your teeth and jaws. It is very important to change them as directed, even when they are not broken.
If your elastics break frequently, a wire or band loosens, or a hook breaks off — call our office immediately at (502) 227-1931 . Don't wait until your next appointment. In some cases these problems need to be corrected as soon as possible!
Treatment Length
Your cooperation with the topics listed above is one of the greatest predictors in whether or not your braces will be removed in the time originally planned by Dr. Cash. To read more, see Why does orthodontic treatment time sometimes last longer than anticipated?