Dr. Mark Padilla and our team invite you to review the following information to help you care for your orthodontic appliance and enjoy a more comfortable treatment experience:
Treating Minor Discomfort
In general, braces do not hurt when they are first placed on your teeth. If you experience pain or tenderness, you can try the following to ease your discomfort:
- Take over-the-counter pain medication
- Eat soft food
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water
- Use orthodontic wax
Most discomfort will ease within a few days; however, please call our office if your pain is severe or does not subside.
Brushing Your Teeth
Brushing, flossing, and rinsing your mouth with water is important while you are in braces. During your appointment at MP Orthodontics, we will provide you with information on the type of toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss that you should use during your orthodontic treatment. It is important to keep your teeth and gums clean, so they sparkle and shine when your braces are removed!
Taking Care of Appliances
It is important to wear orthodontic appliances according to instructions. If your appliance is uncomfortable, it may require an adjustment. If you lose your appliance, call our office so that we can make a new one. Make sure to keep your appliance clean and inside a case when not in use.
Food to Avoid with Braces
When you are wearing braces, chewy and sticky food should be avoided because they can damage your bands, brackets, and wires. Also, you may feel discomfort eating hard or crunchy food in the days following the placement of your braces, or after your braces are adjusted. We hope that your orthodontic experience is comfortable and easy. Do not worry. You can still enjoy delicious food – but you should do your best to avoid choices that can damage your braces or your teeth.
Emergencies
If a bracket or band falls off, or if a wire becomes loose, call our office. We will schedule an emergency appointment for you as soon as possible. A lost bracket or loose wire can be uncomfortable and can also slow your treatment. If an emergency occurs during evening hours or over a weekend, please give us a call. If it is a true emergency, we will make accommodations to see at our office after hours.
You are welcome to contact our orthodontic office in Plano and Anna, Texas, today to learn more, and to schedule a time to see our orthodontist at MP Orthodontics.
My Teeth Hurt
“In general, braces do not hurt during treatment or when they are first placed on your teeth and after you have gotten used to them” A few hours after placement or an adjustment there are a few days where it is normal to experience some pain or tenderness.
I Have Sores In My Mouth
In addition, only after initial placement or if something were to break, you may experience some nibbling which can cause sores on your lips or cheeks. Use a small amount of wax (approximately the size of a BB) to cover and smooth the bracket hook corners, or part causing the nibbling. After a few days to a week your mouth skin will toughen similar to a callus on your hands to be able to tolerate the braces without discomfort.
Wires Poke In The Back
Because teeth are straightening out and when spaces close the extra wire has to go somewhere. Usually the wire gets longer out the back, behind the last brackets. Usually it wont bother if this wire starts to poke you can use your wax and/or give our office a call and we will do a quick clip to get you feeling good, Take over the counter pain medications. Most people can alternate between Tylenol & Ibuprofen (baring any allergies or some conditions) every 2-3 hours as needed for the first several days.
Brushing Your Teeth
- 3 Times a day instead of 2 times per day.
- The most important changes to brushing with braces is ensuring that you are keeping the gum side of both the upper and lower braces clean and also between the braces behind the wire.
Taking Care Of Appliances
- It is currently written as if taking about retainers If a glued appliances becomes loose or falls out, keep it safe, Call the office and bring it to the next appointment for the doctor to evaluate.
- Replacement appliances may incur additional charges.
Food To Avoid With Braces
- Chewy sticky and hard crunchy foods should be avoided.
- Remember braces are meant to be temporary and we want to be able to remove them at the end without damaging your teeth, so we need to work together.
- Do your best to take smaller bites, bite more gently and be careful.
