Your new braces have been fitted, and you have teamed up with MOG on the path towards your new smile.
We are on this journey together, and it takes time – so try to be patient.
To make sure your treatment is a success there are a few things that you need to know, and of course, there are some rules to follow!
At the moment, your braces may feel quite strange and a bit awkward. This may affect your eating and speech for several days, and we suggest eating softer foods to make this transition more comfortable.
Use the wax we have provided to smooth the braces and prevent irritation to your cheeks and lips.
Do not be concerned if your teeth become tender over the next few days as this is normal and should pass quickly. A pain reliever such as Panadol or Nurofen can be taken if required.
Appointments
It is important that you visit us regularly for routine adjustment visits to ensure that your treatment proceeds efficiently. However, if you notice any problems with your braces, please contact our office as soon as possible.
If you cannot keep an appointment, it is important that you contact us promptly to reschedule your appointment and avoid any interruptions or delays in your treatment.
Diet
You can eat most foods while in braces, however, there are some foods that you should avoid: Hard foods will break your braces and bend the wires.
Examples include lollies, nuts, crusty bread, bones or popcorn.
You can eat apples and carrots provided that they are thinly sliced, grated, juiced or julienned. Sticky foods such as chewing gum, nougat, muesli bars, toffee, and jubes may cause breakages as well as tooth decay.
Broken appliances will prolong your treatment and in some cases, incur additional fees.
Sugary foods
Braces tend to attract plaque more easily making your teeth more likely to decay if you consume foods that have a high sugar content. Poor hygiene in combination with a high sugar diet may cause unsightly white marks (decalcification) on your teeth. Try to select foods with low sugar content and brush thoroughly to keep your smile healthy.
Cleaning
Keeping your braces clean and free of all traces of food and plaque takes extra time – we recommend 3 minutes, 2-3 times daily.
This is most important as your braces attract plaque more readily. Plaque and food that is left on your teeth and around the braces may cause swollen gums, bad breath, marks on your teeth and in some cases cavities.
Brushing thoroughly after every meal, or at least making sure to rinse well with water until you have the opportunity to brush can easily avoid these problems. You would have received a brochure on the correct brushing technique to use. Just ask our clinical staff to assist you with your brushing technique if you have having trouble.
Your overall dental health is our priority, and maintaining good oral hygiene will ensure that you have complication-free treatment.
Any questions?
We welcome and encourage any questions that you may have regarding your orthodontic treatment. We understand that this is a new experience and you may have some concerns from time to time.
We are here to help you, so if you have any questions at all, even if it seems small, please don’t hesitate to call, email or ask at your next appointment. We would be really sad to think you were worrying about something for nothing!
Visit Your Dentist
Please be sure to continue making regular visits to your dentist during your orthodontic treatment. We recommend a checkup every six months, and more frequently in some cases. Regular examinations and cleaning by your dentist are important to detect, treat and prevent dental decay and gum problems
Resources
Be sure to refer to your “How to Brush” mirror cling and instruction brochure as they are handy reminders of the steps to take in the early days when learning how to brush with braces.
Always ask If you have any questions or concerns we’re here via phone, email or just ask when you’re at your next appointment. It’s important to us that you feel informed about your treatment stages and comfortable asking anything you want to know.
