CARE

Even though you are careful, you may occasionally damage your appliances. We want our patients to be informed of problems that may occur, and understand how to solve them, at least temporarily, until it is possible to return to our office.
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HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR BRACES

Brush for at least 2 minutes morning and night, and after every meal. Brush minimum 2x per day
(3x is best)! Massage your gums in a circular motion with your toothbrush.

BRUSHING

BRUSHING | STEP 1
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Brush along the gum line first, and brush the top of the braces.
BRUSHING | STEP 2
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Brush straight on the braces.
BRUSHING | STEP 3
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Brush underneath the braces – push the toothbrush bristles underneath the wire. (This step gets missed the most!)
*Optional, to get things extra clean: Use a Proxybrush on the sides of the brace and under the wire.
FLOSSING
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Thread the floss through the threader. Slip the floss behind the wire. Floss between the teeth.
WHITE SPOTS
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Permanent tooth damage (decalcification) can happen from poor brushing or drinking too much soda, coke, or sugar filled drinks.
SORENESS
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Soreness is normal for the first few days. Advil or Tylenol can help with relief. Eat soft foods for comfort (smoothies, yogurt, mashed potatoes).
ORTHODONTIC WAX
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Wax can be used wherever your braces feel rough. You may develop sores due to rubbing. Your mouth will get used to the braces after a few days.
ACIDIC DRINKS
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Drinking too many acidic drinks or sugary drinks can lead to cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay.
BITE TURBOS
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Prevent biting off braces, and damage to teeth. Eating will get easier over time. The more you wear rubber bands, the faster we can take them off!
MOUTHGARDS
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If your sport doesn’t require a mouthguard, there’s no need for an extra mouthguard. Wear a special mouthguard for braces – you can buy one at a sports store, or we can supply you with one. Don’t chew on your mouthguard! It can break your braces.
BROKEN BRACES
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Broken brace? No big deal! Call our office, we will talk you through next steps. Many times loose braces can be fixed at your next appointment.
LONG, POKEY WIRES
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Try to clip the wire with a toenail clipper, if unsuccessful, put wax on the end of the wire and call our office to schedule an appointment.

GALLERY

FOODS TO AVOID WITH BRACES
  • Avoid hard foods like nuts, raw vegetables, popcorn, ice, and hard candy.
  • Avoid sticky and chewy foods like Laffy Taffy, Gummy Bears, Tootsie Rolls, caramels, etc.
  • Avoid chewing on pencils, pens and biting fingernails.
YOUR GENERAL DENTIST
  • Continue with your regular check-ups and cleanings with your general dentist every 6 months.
CARE FOR YOUR ALIGNERS
  • Aligners must be worn 22 hours a day: day and night (only to remove to eat or drink except water)
  • Change your aligners every week, or as your doctor prescribes.
  • Change your aligners preferably at night time.
  • After eating, brush your aligners and teeth to prevent cavities.
  • To clean your aligners, brush with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and cold water. Additionally, you can soak them in denture cleaner for maximum cleanliness.
  • If you feel a rough edge, you may use a buffing nail to smooth the edge or use fingernail scissors to lightly trim. If it is still uncomfortable, please call us!
  • Your teeth may feel slightly sore when you change an aligner: take one Tylenol or Advil as needed.
CARE FOR YOUR RETAINERS
  • Wear your retainers every night, only at night unless otherwise instructed
  • To clean your retainers, brush with toothpaste, toothbrush and cold water.
  • For maximum cleanliness, soak your retainers in denture cleaner and cold water. NEVER BOIL YOUR RETAINERS!
  • Keep away from pets (i.e. in the case, in a drawer: pets can chew through the case)
  • Floss every night under your permanent retainer. If it comes off, wear your clear retainer and save your permanent retainer to be replaced.
  • Retainers are expensive to replace. Please take care of them!
  • Bring your retainers to your follow up visits
  • Enjoy your smile!

In A Few Weeks, You Will Be On Your Way To A Great Smile!

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OUR LOCATIONS

GASTONIA

525 South New Hope Road
Gastonia, NC 28054

704.865.8521

BELMONT

301 Park Street
Belmont, NC 28012

704.825.0002

LAKE WYLIE

4937 Charlotte Highway
Lake Wylie, SC 29710

803.619.1113

CHARLOTTE

4741 Randolph Rd.
Suite 201

704.865.8521