Braces are a big responsibility, but if you do these simple things you can make your treatment go as fast as possible, and keep your teeth as healthy as possible while you are undergoing treatment.
Keep it clean
Brush your teeth 2-3 times per day for 3 minutes. For non-braces patients, dentists recommend brushing for 2 minutes, but with braces you should put in some extra time. The extra minute is for cleaning around the brackets and to sweep the toothbrush under the gumline.
Floss using Superfloss or special flossers meant for braces. A good trick is to floss upper teeth one day, lower teeth the next day if you find that you are avoiding flossing because of the time it takes.
Stay on Track with your Treatment
Stay away from sticky, chewy foods, and hard foods like popcorn kernels, ice, pretzels. If a bracket detaches it no longer moves the tooth and your teeth aren’t straightening. Worse yet, you can’t progress forward with treatment until all the teeth are aligned.
Make all of your appointments. If you skip or delay your appointments, you can affect (read:lengthen) your treatment time, because again, you aren’t progressing. Wear your rubberbands and appliances as instructed. They can’t work if you don’t wear them. If you have any questions throughout your treatment call 631-499-7614, or email us info@bluebirdbraces.com
Keep them straight
Now that you’ve put in the hard work, it’s time to enjoy your smile. We love to see people sporting straight, gorgeous Bluebird smiles. Now its time to maintain your teeth in their ideal positions. Wear your retainer as instructed, and wear them for life. For life, you say? Teeth are always trying to move and proper retainer wear prevents the shifting of teeth. However, if you lose your retainer, call us right away and make an appointment. We always want you to wear a retainer, even if your wearing schedule diminishes.
Keep Smiling,
Dorie Frank, D.D.S, Specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
P.S. If you want to meet me and ask me questions in person, just click here to get started.
