THE CHALLENGES: It won’t take long to realize that braces collect food when you eat. Soon after, you will realize that it is harder to brush and keep your teeth clean with braces on.
YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH WHEN YOU HAVE BRACES.
Please pay close attention to the detailed oral hygiene instructions we will give you when the braces are placed. If you ever have any questions, please ask.
Please click below on specifics of proper oral hygiene care while wearing braces:
Brushing
STEP 1
Start with the outside of the teeth, with the brush flat against the surface of the teeth. Use circular, vibrating motions.
STEP 2
When brushing your top teeth, clean the area between the gums and braces by angling the brush downward. Keep moving in small, circular motions.
STEP 3
When brushing the lower teeth, angle the brush upward.
STEP 4
Carefully brush the chewing surfaces of both the upper and lower jaw.
STEP 5
Finish by brushing the inside of the teeth.
Flossing
Floss at least once a day. You need to pull the floss under the archwire with a floss threader. Start by pulling floss through the threader.
STEP 1
Push the end of the floss threader under the archwire and pull the floss through.
STEP 2
Pull the floss up between the teeth and gently move it up and down the side of both teeth. Remember to move it up all the way under the gums.
STEP 3
Pull the floss out and use a different section of it for the next tooth.
EXAMPLES
Examples of products on the market.
Using an interdental toothbrush (proxabrush) can help keep your teeth, braces, and gums clean and healthy. Use this device slowly and carefully to clean under orthodontic wires and around braces, taking care not to damage your braces.
INTERDENTAL TOOTHBRUSHES
Use of water floss or Waterpik is very effective at removing food and debris trapped in braces
Grade Your Brushing
Foods to Avoid & Foods to Enjoy while wearing braces
Acidic Foods and Drinks Destroy Teeth
Patient Cooperation
PATIENT COOPERATION
PLEASE UNDERSTAND: Patient cooperation is the single most important factor in achieving a proper result and completing treatment on time. Avoiding foods on the “NO” list and maintaining proper oral hygiene with braces takes hard work but necessary to ensure you finish your treatment with the most amazing smile and avoid tooth damage like this:
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS THIS:
Pay attention to the “NO” list and minimize or avoid sugary or acidic foods and drinks
BRUSH 2 MINUTES TWICE A DAY AND FLOSS DAILY WITH THE TECHNIQUES WE DISCUSSED
SEE YOUR DENTIST EVERY 4-6 MONTHS WHILE WEARING BRACES
COME IN ROUTINELY FOR VISITS SO WE CAN HELP
AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY?
What to do if you have an orthodontic problem.
There are very few true orthodontic emergencies. Please click on a box below that outlines a problem needing immediate attention as opposed to something that can wait to be addressed:
Click here for True Orthodontic Emergencies
A true “emergency” involves anything causing pain or discomfort!
If you or your child is in pain with anything that cannot be alleviated by the methods below and cannot wait until the next business day we want to see you!
Call our office and listen to the instructions on the voicemail to contact us directly.
Please note: if you have trauma to the face or teeth – Call your regular dentist.
Click here for Not an Orthodontic "Emergency"
The conditions mentioned below are important but can wait until the next BUSINESS day or possibly UNTIL your next scheduled appointment as long as there is no pain:
Broken or loose brace
Lost tie
Loose band
Lost or broken retainer
Lost rubber bands
Changing an appointment
Click here if you Lost or Broke your Retainer
If you lose or break your retainer you must come into the office.;
If it is during office hours call the office for an appointment.
If it is after office hours, please wait until the next business day and call to make an appointment to be seen. And please remember to bring in your retainer with you.
WHAT TO DO WHEN THE OFFICE IS OPEN or CLOSED
OPEN
CLOSED
Call our office to schedule an appointment. Please do not walk in our office without an appointment.
If you are in pain we will see you immediately!
Laguna Beach: (949) 494-8555
Newport Beach: (949) 640-0202
Please refer to the above to see if you have a “true orthodontic emergency”
If you can wait until the next business day, call us then and we will gladly get you in
If you are in pain, call the office and listen to the instructions on paging the doctor
Laguna Beach: (949) 494-8555
Newport Beach: (949) 640-0202
AT HOME REMEDIES FOR MINOR ORTHODONTIC PROBLEMS
BROKEN OR LOOSE BRACE
If the brace can slide or is rotated, it has become loose.
A. If the loose brace is not causing discomfort: It is best leave it in place and call us for an appointment when we reopen. Please be careful and stay away from the area when you are biting or chewing.
B. If the loose bracket has rotated on the wire: If it’s not bothering you, you can leave it as-is. If it bothers you, use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to turn it back into its normal position. Once in place, you may apply wax to secure the loose brace.
C. If the bracket becomes extremely bothersome: You can remove the bracket from the wire with a pair of tweezers or a small unbent paper clip, remove the colored “O” ring from the bracket. You can now remove the bracket from underneath the wire. It is not urgent to have it replaced. f everything else appears in place and you have an appointment soon, we will be able to place a new one at your upcoming appointment. If it will be more than a few weeks until your next appointment, call us and we will replace the tie.
POKING WIRE
If the wire is poking your cheeks or lips here are some solutions:
A. Cover it with orthodontic wax for protection
B. If the wax does not correct the problem, you can cut it with nail clippers that have been sterilized in alcohol
C. Other solutions are to push the wire with a pencil eraser or the back of a metal spoon.
Please call our office to inform us of any problem you have. We may have to lengthen your next appointment to have time to correct the problem.
OTHER BRACE RELIEF PRODUCTS
There are several other brace relief products other than wax that you can purchase at the drug store or on line (amazon.com, etc.). Below are a few that our patients have given good reviews to:
PDF Forms to Fill out and Submit
Please print these out prior to your next Dentist Appointment so your Dentist can sign them. Then bring them with you to your Orthodontic Appointment here at DiGiovanni Orthodontics.
Please refer to the above to see if you have a “true orthodontic emergency”
