Do you have questions about properly caring for your teeth after visiting Lewis Orthodontics?
Check out our how-to section below for any questions or concerns you may have about the corresponding service.
Don’t see your question or service below? Call us today, we’re more than happy to help!
Life With Braces
You have braces. Now what?
It’s important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.
You have to be careful what you eat when you have braces. Popcorn and snacking on potato chips and sticky, gummy candy can wreak havoc on your braces. Below is a list of what you can eat. In addition, we’ve also answered some of our most frequently asked questions when it comes to braces, too.
Life With Braces
You have braces. Now what?
It’s important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.
You have to be careful what you eat when you have braces. Popcorn and snacking on potato chips and sticky, gummy candy can wreak havoc on your braces. Below is a list of what you can eat. In addition, we’ve also answered some of our most frequently asked questions when it comes to braces, too.
Comfort Care During Treatment
If you’re experiencing discomfort, Lewis Braces is available to you. Call our office when you experience severe pain or have a painful appliance problem you can’t correct yourself. We’ll schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.
In the interim, you may be able to solve many common issues temporarily until you can visit our office. Check out these issues below and follow the recommendations. After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions to your treatment plan.
General soreness
When you first get your braces, your mouth may feel sore and your teeth may be tender to biting pressures for 3 to 5 days. Stick to a soft diet until it doesn’t hurt to chew. The lips, cheeks and tongue may become irritated for one to two weeks as they learn a new posture and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this.
Irritated gums and other sore spots can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt-water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in eight ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. You can also place Orabase on the affected area to relieve discomfort. If the tenderness is severe, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or whatever you normally take for a headache.
Headgear
Ensure that you’re wearing your headgear as instructed by your orthodontist to avoid discomfort. If the facebow (metal piece) is bent, please call our office for assistance. The headgear should hurt less the more it’s worn, so wear your headgear for the prescribed number of hours.
Loose appliance
If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the irritating end.
Broken or loose bracket
If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and put wax on it for comfort. If the bracket or band can be removed easily, place it in an envelope and bring it to your next appointment.
Poking & loose wire
Using a pair of tweezers or needle-nosed pliers, try to put your wire back into place. It is okay to use a piece of floss to tie the wire into place: tie the floss around the bracket in place of the missing colored o-ring.
If you cannot put the wire into a comfortable position and covering the end with wax doesn’t help, as a last resort, use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If the end of the wire is still sharp, place wax on it.
Comfort Care During Treatment
If you’re experiencing discomfort, Lewis Braces is available to you. Call our office when you experience severe pain or have a painful appliance problem you can’t correct yourself. We’ll schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.
In the interim, you may be able to solve many common issues temporarily until you can visit our office. Check out these issues below and follow the recommendations. After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions to your treatment plan.
General soreness
When you first get your braces, your mouth may feel sore and your teeth may be tender to biting pressures for 3 to 5 days. Stick to a soft diet until it doesn’t hurt to chew. The lips, cheeks and tongue may become irritated for one to two weeks as they learn a new posture and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this.
Irritated gums and other sore spots can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt-water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in eight ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. You can also place Orabase on the affected area to relieve discomfort. If the tenderness is severe, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or whatever you normally take for a headache.
Headgear
Ensure that you’re wearing your headgear as instructed by your orthodontist to avoid discomfort. If the facebow (metal piece) is bent, please call our office for assistance. The headgear should hurt less the more it’s worn, so wear your headgear for the prescribed number of hours.
Loose appliance
If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the irritating end.
Broken or loose bracket
If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and put wax on it for comfort. If the bracket or band can be removed easily, place it in an envelope and bring it to your next appointment.
Poking & loose wire
Using a pair of tweezers or needle-nosed pliers, try to put your wire back into place. It is okay to use a piece of floss to tie the wire into place: tie the floss around the bracket in place of the missing colored o-ring.
If you cannot put the wire into a comfortable position and covering the end with wax doesn’t help, as a last resort, use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If the end of the wire is still sharp, place wax on it.
Brushing & Flossing
Brushing Your Teeth with Braces
When you have braces, it’s very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your treatment. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the best products for your teeth and appliance.
Brushing & Flossing
Brushing Your Teeth with Braces
When you have braces, it’s very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your treatment. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the best products for your teeth and appliance.
Retainer Instructions
Wear your retainer at all times, until the doctor instructs otherwise!
Take your retainer out when eating, and always put it back in its case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)
Clean the retainer thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque and eliminates odors. Efferdent® or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used but do not take the place of brushing.
When your retainer is not in your mouth, it should ALWAYS be in its case. Pets love to chew on them!
Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading or singing out loud to get used to it faster.
Retainers are breakable, so treat yours with care. If your retainer gets lost or broken, call us immediately.
If you have any questions or concerns about your retainer, or you believe it needs adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust it yourself.
Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
Retainer replacements are expensive, but with proper care they will last for years!
Remove your retainer when you go swimming.
Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine and napkins.
Retainer Instructions
Wear your retainer at all times, until the doctor instructs otherwise!
Take your retainer out when eating, and always put it back in its case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)
Clean the retainer thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque and eliminates odors. Efferdent® or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used but do not take the place of brushing.
When your retainer is not in your mouth, it should ALWAYS be in its case. Pets love to chew on them!
Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading or singing out loud to get used to it faster.
Retainers are breakable, so treat yours with care. If your retainer gets lost or broken, call us immediately.
If you have any questions or concerns about your retainer, or you believe it needs adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust it yourself.
Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
Retainer replacements are expensive, but with proper care they will last for years!
Remove your retainer when you go swimming.
Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine and napkins.
About Palatal Expanders
The palatal expander “expands” (or widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression.
About Palatal Expanders
The palatal expander “expands” (or widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression.
TMD-TMJ
Millions of Americans suffer from chronic facial and neck pain as well as severe, recurring headaches. In some cases, this pain is due to Temporomandibular Disorder, also known as TMD.
Your temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, connect your lower jawbone to your skull. These joints get a lot of use throughout the day as you speak, chew, swallow, and yawn. Pain in and around these joints can be unpleasant and may even restrict movement.
Symptoms of TMD include:
Pain in the jaw area
Pain, ringing, or stuffiness in the ears
Frequent headaches or neck aches
Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves
Muscle spasms in the jaw area
A change in the alignment of top and bottom teeth
Locked jaw or limited opening of the mouth
If you notice that you are experiencing any of these symptoms, let your doctor know at your next appointment. Your doctor can help determine if you have TMD and create a customized treatment plan to help relieve your symptoms.
Not all jaw pain is associated with TMD
If you feel you might have TMD, it is always important to see your dentist and receive an exam. However, not all jaw pain is associated with TMD, and if you do not have TMD, many different preventive steps exist to maintain a healthy, strong smile.
Relax your face — “Lips together, teeth apart.”
Avoid grinding your teeth.
Avoid all gum chewing.
Don’t cradle the phone receiver between your head and shoulder — either use a headset or hold the receiver to your ear.
Chew food evenly on both sides of your mouth.
Do not sit with your chin resting on your hand.
Practice good posture — keep your head up, back straight and shoulders squared.
Many people get TMD without ever having braces. Symptoms usually wax and wane regardless of whether braces are worn. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above and are concerned that you’re a candidate for TMD treatment, please contact our office for a consultation.
TMD-TMJ
Millions of Americans suffer from chronic facial and neck pain as well as severe, recurring headaches. In some cases, this pain is due to Temporomandibular Disorder, also known as TMD.
Your temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, connect your lower jawbone to your skull. These joints get a lot of use throughout the day as you speak, chew, swallow, and yawn. Pain in and around these joints can be unpleasant and may even restrict movement.
Symptoms of TMD include:
Pain in the jaw area
Pain, ringing, or stuffiness in the ears
Frequent headaches or neck aches
Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves
Muscle spasms in the jaw area
A change in the alignment of top and bottom teeth
Locked jaw or limited opening of the mouth
If you notice that you are experiencing any of these symptoms, let your doctor know at your next appointment. Your doctor can help determine if you have TMD and create a customized treatment plan to help relieve your symptoms.
Not all jaw pain is associated with TMD
If you feel you might have TMD, it is always important to see your dentist and receive an exam. However, not all jaw pain is associated with TMD, and if you do not have TMD, many different preventive steps exist to maintain a healthy, strong smile.
Relax your face — “Lips together, teeth apart.”
Avoid grinding your teeth.
Avoid all gum chewing.
Don’t cradle the phone receiver between your head and shoulder — either use a headset or hold the receiver to your ear.
Chew food evenly on both sides of your mouth.
Do not sit with your chin resting on your hand.
Practice good posture — keep your head up, back straight and shoulders squared.
Many people get TMD without ever having braces. Symptoms usually wax and wane regardless of whether braces are worn. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above and are concerned that you’re a candidate for TMD treatment, please contact our office for a consultation.
Orthodontic FAQs
We understand you may have questions about orthodontics and orthodontic treatment. To address your main concerns, here are a few frequently asked orthodontic questions:
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