Appliance Care
The better care you take of your braces during the treatment process, the more likely it is that it will go according to plan. This means the length of time you wear your braces will stay in check.
For the successful completion of your orthodontic treatment, you must work together with your orthodontist. Ultimately, the best possible results can only be achieved if you wear the rubber bands, headgear and other appliances prescribed. Damaged or irregularly worn appliances will inevitably make your treatment take longer.
Cleaning Your Removable Appliance
Your removable appliance should be cleaned daily when you brush and floss your teeth.
Because food and plaque can accumulate very easily on your appliance (just like they can on your teeth) it helps to soak your appliance regularly as well.
Soak your appliance in a solution of a dissolved denture-cleaning tablet such as Polident or Efferdent and tap water at room temperature once a day. Doing this will not only make your appliance taste better, it will also help prevent plaque and bacteria from building up.
Keep in mind, though, that soaking your appliance ought to be done as a supplement to brushing, not as a replacement for it.
Cleaning Your Fixed Appliance
It can be hard to clean your teeth when a fixed orthodontic appliance is in place. However, while wearing a fixed appliance, you must pay even more careful attention to your oral hygiene, to reduce the chance of developing tooth decay or gum disease. » Learn more about brushing and flossing with braces.
Elastics Care
Your elastics are an important element of your orthodontic treatment plan. Follow these tips to make sure they do their job properly!- Carry extra rubber bands with you at all times, so if one breaks, you can replace it straight away.
- If you forget to wear your rubber bands, don’t double up on them the next day – just continue to follow your regular instructions.
- Rubber bands wear out. When they lose their elasticity, they don't provide effective pressure to your teeth and jaws.
- Put in new elastics after every meal, even when they are not broken.
- If your rubber bands break frequently, or if the hook for your rubber bands breaks, call the office right away.
Don't get discouraged if you are sore from the rubber bands! The soreness fades, just like soreness from new wires does.
Removing your elastics will just make you sore for longer, and it might also damage your teeth.