Dealing with Your Braces
The team at City Orthodontics – your leading orthodontist office in Toronto, strives to help each of our patients obtain an attractive, healthy smile. With the holiday season fast approaching, we would like to provide our new patients with some friendly advice to help them deal with braces during the busy, festive holiday season.
By following these tips you will breeze through the holidays without any problems as you are on your way to that straight, beautiful smile you have always wanted.
Give it Time
When you first have your braces put on, it will take a few days for you to get used to wearing them. Your teeth may feel uncomfortable because of the pressure put on them by the braces. However, with time you will become used to having the braces on your teeth. If you feel soreness, pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort.
Watch What You Eat and Follow the Rules
We provide complete instructions to each new patient with braces as well as a comprehensive list of foods to steer clear of. You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by following these instructions.
It is tempting during the holidays to eat sticky, hard foods such as hard candies, nuts, caramels, taffy, chewy chocolate bars, and raw vegetables. You should abstain from eating these items because they can easily do damage to your brackets and wires. You do not want to spend time during the busy holiday season sitting in a dental chair so only enjoy soft foods which are safe to eat!
Brush & Floss Your Teeth Often
You will probably be attending parties and get-togethers during the holidays where food is served. You should make it a habit to brush your teeth at least four times each day – after each meal and before going to bed. We show each patient how to floss with braces using an orthodontic floss threader. Remember that food easily becomes trapped behind wires and brackets so take the necessary time to brush and floss thoroughly. It’s a good idea to carry a small kit with you when you know you will be away from home that holds your toothbrush, toothpaste, floss threader, dental wax, and a small folding cup.
Call Us if Something Breaks or Loosens
If a wire or bracket should break or loosen, don’t panic. We can deal with many emergency situations over the phone. If something is causing you a great deal of discomfort, we can schedule an emergency appointment for you. If a broken wire is causing you pain, you can clip the wire to where it’s comfortable and then cover the end with orthodontic wax. You will then have to contact us as soon as possible because a broken wire must be dealt with quickly.
Stay Focused on the Future
Remember that the reason you got braces is to make your smile straight and beautiful! Your braces will come off before you know it and you’ll be showing off your new smile to everyone you meet. Today’s modern braces are much more attractive than braces used a few years ago. Now it is considered a common, fashionable way to get a winning appearance. Be proud and enjoy the newfound confidence your braces provide you!