children’s dental care tips

frequently

asked questions

treatment

options

emergencies

post-op

Care of Orthodontic Appliances

 

We believe strongly in patient and parent education. It is the responsibility of the parents and the patient to know what is required for successful orthodontic treatment. We hope your child will have support, encouragement and supervision from home to be certain that our instructions are followed carefully.

 

 1. Avoid hard foods such as ice, candy, popcorn, peanuts, corn on the cob and pizza crust. Fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots, should be cut into small pieces and chewed with back teeth. Biting into hard foods may bend wires, loosen bands or brackets. Damage to the braces will prolong treatment time.

 

2.  Avoid sticky foods such as snickers bars, gummy bears or tootsie rolls. These foods can also bend wires, loosen bands and brackets.

 

3.   Brush immediately after every meal and before bedtime. Orthodontic appliances make tooth brushing more difficult. Therefore, special attention to oral hygiene must be given to avoid Cavities and Gingivitis. We will demonstrate proper oral hygiene techniques after the placement of the appliances and reinforce these instructions at each appointment.

 

4.   Floss the teeth at least once per day. The evening is usually the best time to floss because it takes ten to fifteen minutes to brush and floss thoroughly.

 

5.  Rinse with a fluoride mouth rinse daily to reduce the risk of Cavities during orthodontic treatment. We suggest using ACT or any over-the-counter fluoride mouth rinse.

 

6.   Maintain your six month check-ups. While we check the teeth at every orthodontic appointment, a thorough examination and cleaning is needed twice a year.

 

If the suggestions are followed routinely, your child's orthodontic treatment will proceed smoothly and will result in a pleasing smile and a healthy mouth. If you have any questions about the care of your child's orthodontic appliances, please do not hesitate to ask Dr. Keels.