Your New Braces

Oral Hygiene
Now that your braces are in place, and there’s more stuff in your mouth, you’ll need to practice excellent oral hygiene. During each visit, we’ll grade your hygiene performance.

• Use a wet toothbrush to remove food from your braces and teeth. Then brush thoroughly with fluoride toothpaste. When brushing, use the different angles we’ve shown you to clean your teeth effectively.
• Brush in the morning and after every meal. If this is not possible, you may rinse well with water until you are able to brush following school or work.
• Use a fluoride rinse before bed.
• Flossing, too, is critical. Floss at least once a day.

Diet
Avoid sticky, chewy foods like caramel, taffy and especially chewing gum.
Stay away from hard foods, such as hard pretzels, corn chips, and nuts.
When eating subs, sandwiches, and pizza crusts, take small bites or cut into pieces.
Cut fruits and vegetables into small pieces.

Maintenance
If you begin to feel some soreness Advil (Ibuprofen), taken according to the directions on the bottle, may help reduce the discomfort. Irritation of your cheeks can be alleviated by placing wax or silicone over the brace or wire that is causing the soreness. Make sure the area is dry before placing wax or silicone. Your teeth should begin to feel better after 3-4 days. Your lips and cheeks will toughen over time.

If your braces come loose, but you are not in any pain, it is not a serious emergency. However, if you have an emergency, call our office at 480-963-2535 (Chandler office), 480-558-4312 (Gilbert office), 623-376-6346 (Arrowhead office), and we will see you quickly to make you more comfortable. Either way, please call so we may schedule adaquate time to repair your appliance. We will then repair whatever is broken or displaced during your next regularly scheduled appointment. If you feel irritation during school, go to the nurse and ask him or her to call your parents or our office.

Our answering machine indicates a number at which someone may be reached immediately in case of an emergency. Always call the office at 480-963-2535 (Chandler office), 480-558-4312 (Gilbert office), 623-376-6346 (Arrowhead office), before emergency visits to ensure that we are fully prepared to see you.

Please remember that constantly breaking brackets, bands, or arch wires will delay your treatment. You’ll need to be extra aware of what you put in your mouth. In other words: be careful and responsible!

You will visit our office every 8-10 weeks and receive frequent reports regarding your treatment. Your treatment may take be a few days to 6 months depending on growth and procedure. Please call Dr. Dickerson’s office if you have any questions 480-963-2535 (Chandler office), 480-558-4312 (Gilbert office), 623-376-6346 (Arrowhead office) or by e-mail at info@dickersonortho.com.