Because the braces and adhesive we use are very durable, many patients do not experience any breakage during treatment. However, we want you to have the following information in case you should encounter any breakage problems. The following techniques will explain how to make yourself comfortable until you can come back to the office for a repair.

Some supplies you may find helpful are: tweezers, long nose pliers, nail clippers and small wire cutters.

1. Elastic tie is off. Put the tie back on with tweezers if possible. If you can’t get it to stay on, just leave it off.
2. Wire end is poking. Either turn end in toward the gums or clip the end with tweezers or a small wire cutter. Wax may also help to smooth the area.
3. A bracket is loose. If the bracket is not causing discomfort, leave it attached to the wire. If you are uncomfortable, cut the elastic tie holding the bracket on the wire and then remove the bracket. Please put the bracket in an envelope and bring it to your next appointment.
4. A band is loose. Chew on the opposite side and avoid sticky foods. Call the office for a repair appointment. If the band is completely off put it in an envelope and bring it to your next appointment.
5. A wire tie is irritation your mouth. Cover it with wax or tuck it under the arch wire with a blunt object like a pencil eraser or a Q-tip.
6. Broken Arch Wire or one that is irritating the gum or cheek tissue. Please call the office as soon as possible for replacement or adjustment.
7. Bent headgear or removable appliance that is not fitting well. Do not wear the appliance until it can be properly adjusted in our office. Call the office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to have the appliance adjusted.

Repairs made at home after business hours should be reported to our office on the next business day. If an emergency occurs over the weekend which you cannot take care of yourself and you are experiencing discomfort, Dr. Williams can be reached at 303-475-9700.

Orthodontics Emergency Flyer

Our goal is to provide you with a beautiful smile. This can only be accomplished if the braces stay attached to your teeth. We do not want to interfere with your nutritional intake, but we do ask that you watch the types of foods you eat. Some types of foods are capable of breaking your bands or brackets or bending your wires. All these things prolong treatment time.

A careful patient can eat a nutritionally balanced diet and do no harm to their braces. We hope that you will strive to be this type of patient. The foods listed below are the ones that we have found to be the most common cause of loose bands, brackets and broken appliances.

Hard Foods

1. Ice (no crunching, please)
   
2. Hard pizza crust
   
3. Nuts
   
4. Popcorn (hard kernels)
   
5. Hard candy
   
6. Carrots & apples (may be eaten if cut into small pieces)
7. Corn-on-the cob (may be eaten if sliced off the cob)

Sticky & Chewy Foods

1. Caramels
   
2. Taffy
   
3. Bubble gum
   
4. “Now and Later” candy
5. Gummy Bears
6. Milk Duds
7. “Snickers” candy bars
8. Jelly Beans

Sweet Foods

Although they may not cause damage to your appliances, they do contribute to dental decay and unsightly white spots on the teeth. Care should be taken to brush your teeth immediately after eating very sweet foods. If you cannot brush right away, then rinse thoroughly with water.

1. Cake
2. Pie
3. Candy
4. Ice cream
5. Cookies
6. Sweet drinks (soda, lemonade)

Brushing is important at all times, but especially now that you have braces. Work hard to keep your braces just as shiny as the day they were placed. Then when your treatment is complete and your braces are removed you will be proud to smile.

•  GOOD BRUSHING IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT, BUT NOW THAT YOU HAVE BRACES ON YOUR TEETH, IT WILL TAKE EXTRA TIME AND EFFORT TO DO A GOOD JOB. Tips for thorough brushing include taking your time (we recommend 3 minutes) and develop a system, which you repeat every time you brush. Wearing braces does not increase the risk of tooth decay if you clean your teeth properly. Remember, good brushers experience less soreness and have faster tooth movement because the gums are healthy. Inflammation (redness and swelling) in the gum tissue slows the rate of tooth movement and also looks unsightly. Poor brushing can result in permanent white spots and cavities on your teeth as well as bad breath. So, please brush and floss thoroughly and often!

• Remember to replace your toothbrush every two or three months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your teeth.

• Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Water pics are also a good tool. Decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can't reach. It is important to to remove this bacteria and stuck food particles from between the teeth, stuck in your braces and under the gum line.

• Continue to visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams while undergoing your orthodontic treatment.

Congratulations!  You have now begun your orthodontic treatment.  Please review the following information.

 

You may expect some soreness in your teeth as they begin to move.  Generally, this lasts 2-3 days.  If you wish to take something for the soreness, pain relievers such as Advil or Tylenol are very effective if taken every few hours.

 

If any of your orthodontic appliances scratch or irritate your mouth, place a small piece of wax over the rough area.  Such irritations usually disappear within a few days as your mouth tissues "toughen up."  If the irritation persists, please call the office for instructions.

 

If a band or bracket loosens or something breaks, don't panic.  Breakage is not an emergency unless associated with discomfort.  PLEASE PHONE THE OFFICE TO NOTIFY US OF THE BREAKAGE even if you are not experiencing any discomfort.  We can then decide when to repair the breakage.  If you are experiencing discomfort, please refer to the "emergency instructions" sheet.

 

The braces we use are quite strong but not unbreakable.  If you exercise proper care very little, if any, breakage should occur.  PLEASE DON'T EAT HARD FOODS, STICKY FOODS OR CHEW BUBBLE GUM.   However, chewing small pieces of sugarless gum (e.g. Trident) is allowed and may even be helpful in reducing the amount of soreness after an adjustment.

 

BEFORE LEAVING THE OFFICE.  There are routine steps that we ask that you complete prior to leaving the office.  Please make these steps a part of each office visit:

1)      Using your finger and tongue, check that wire ends do not poke or abrade the cheek or tongue.

2)      Make sure you understand what you are to do until your next appointment.  This could include wearing headgear or elastics as instructed, adjusting an expander or following specific hygiene or diet instructions.

3)      Make sure you have an adequate supply of dental wax, special cleaning aids, rubber bands, or other related materials you may need between appointments.

4)      Always schedule your next appointment before leaving the office.  Waiting 1-2 weeks after an appointment before scheduling your next office visit complicates the scheduling process, since appointments are usually programmed 4-6 weeks in advance.  Postponing appointments is a common contributor to overtime treatment.