Basic Home Care Instructions

If you have had direct mouth or tooth trauma, please call your general dentist for assistance. Although we may not have the equipment necessary to help with these types of injuries, the braces/appliances may need to be repaired, call our office as well to set up an appointment.

Loose bracket

• This is generally not necessarily an emergency
• The bracket will stay attached to the wire
• If it moves around and is bothering, place wax on it
• Call to schedule an appointment if it will be longer than 1-2 weeks before your next appointment

Poking wires

• If a small wire is poking out from the braces, you can use the eraser end of a pencil or fingernail to push the wire under
• If a wire is poking out in the back part of the braces, a fingernail clipper can sometimes be used to clip the wire. Otherwise, place wax over the wire and call the office the next business day to have it clipped

Mouth Sores

• Sores are common, especially soon after the braces are placed. Your mouth, cheeks, lips need time to build a callous
• If the sore is due to a poking wire, remove the irritation (as explained above), or place wax on it
• Peroxyl or Listerine may help to promote healing
• Orabase and Zilactin are over the counter gels that can help reduce the pain

Headgear not fitting

• If the headgear is not fitting properly, discontinue wearing it and call our office to schedule an appointment. The headgear will need to be adjusted.

Broken Retainer

• If you recently had your braces removed (within 6 months), more urgent attention is needed since relapse can occur very quickly
• If the plastic is broken, but the retainer still fits well, continue to wear it until you can make an appointment
• If the wire is bent, or any other problem where the retainer does not fit, call our office to set up an appointment before teeth begin to shift
• Bring the remaining broken pieces of a retainer, since it may be possible to repair it.

Swollen gums

• Swollen gums are a sign of gingivitis. This is most likely related to oral hygiene.
• Brush your teeth after every meal, floss daily, and rinse with Peroxyl or Listerine to help reduce inflammation
• Sometimes excessive swelling in the gums may result from food or popcorn stuck in the gums next to the braces. An appointment may be needed to remove it.

Loose or Broken Expander

• If you have an expander appliance (appliance on the roof of your mouth used to widen the upper jaw and teeth) that has come loose or broken, please call our office for an appointment right away.
  

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