Understanding Orthodontics: Frequently Asked Questions

F.A.Qs

Frequently Asked Questions About Orthodontics

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics (also referred to as dentofacial orthopedics) is a specialized form of dentistry focusing on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial abnormalities.

How do I schedule my next appointment?

Simply call our practice! Our front desk staff will be happy to help schedule your next appointment at your convenience. If you are a new patient or have been referred to our practice, please let us know and we will provide you with all of the information you need.

What is an orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has received two to three years of additional training and experience. Your orthodontist is able to straighten teeth, correct misaligned jaw structure, and improve the function of your smile.

What's the best age to visit the orthodontist?

If you want to improve the look and feel of your smile, then any age can be a great age to see the orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first visit an orthodontist around the age of seven; however, orthodontic treatment is not exclusive to children and teens, with about one in every five orthodontic patients being over the age of 21. Whether you're considering treatment for yourself or for a child, any time is a good time to visit the orthodontist.

Braces F.A.Qs

What are braces?

Braces are used by your orthodontist to help you improve the look and feel of your smile. There are several different types of braces to choose from, including ceramic braces, self-ligating braces, and traditional metal braces.

If I get braces, how long do I have to wear them?

The amount of time spent in braces will vary depending on the individual patient because every smile responds differently to treatment. Treatment times can take anywhere between six and 30 months, but most standard treatments take about 22 months.

Do braces hurt?

Braces do not often hurt though you may feel a small amount of discomfort for a couple of days as your teeth, gums, cheeks, and mouth get used to your new braces.

Do I need to brush my teeth more often if I have braces?

With braces, you should brush your teeth at least three times a day to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy and clean. Brushing regularly will help remove any food that may be caught between the braces. You should also floss daily to get in between your braces where your brush isn't able to reach. Your orthodontist can show you how to properly brush and floss once your braces are placed.

If I have braces, do I still need dental checkups every six months?

Yes! In fact, it's even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit their dentist regularly. With braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush can't reach. This causes bacteria to build up that can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Your dentist will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while wearing braces.

Will my braces interfere with my school activities like sports, playing an instrument, or singing?

Playing an instrument or a contact sport may require some adjustment when you first get your braces, but wearing braces will not stop you from participating in any of your school activities. If you play a contact sport, it is recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your braces or appliance.

Life With Braces

Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them? It's important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.

Eating with Braces

Don’t worry, you’ll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.

Foods To AVOID With Braces

Chewy Foods

Bagels, licorice, etc.

Crunchy Foods

Popcorn, chips, ice, etc.

Sticky Foods

Caramel candies, chewing gum, etc.

Hard Foods

Nuts, hard candies, etc.

Foods That Require Biting Into

Corn on the cob, apples, carrots, etc.

Foods You CAN Eat With Braces

Dairy

Soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks, etc.

Bread

Soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts, etc.

Grains

Pasta, soft cooked rice, etc.

Meats/Poultry

Soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats, etc.

Seafood

Tuna, salmon, crab cakes, etc.

Vegetables

Mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans, etc.

Fruits

Applesauce, bananas, fruit juice, etc.

Treats

Ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake, etc.

Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances

When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).

If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. We would be happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need some wax, please let us know.

Loose Teeth

If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don’t worry; this is normal! Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.

Loose Wires and Bands

The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.

You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.

Take Care of Your Appliances

Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other appliances prescribed by your doctor.

Playing Sports with Braces

Game, Set, Match — we have great news for athletes! You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it’s recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let your doctor know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.

In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.

How can I take care of my teeth if I'm wearing braces or a retainer?

ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day.

Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask your orthodontist or family dentist if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities!

If you take out your retainer to eat, make sure you brush your teeth, floss, and remember to keep it safe in its container so that it does not get lost or broken.

Keep your retainer clean, too, by brushing it gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You may also soak it in denture cleaner as instructed by your orthodontist. Do not put your retainer in boiling water or in the dishwasher.

During your treatment, try to avoid foods with a lot of sugar, which increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth, causing more plaque and possibly cavities.

Avoid sticky and chewy foods (caramel, chewing gum, gummy bears), hard foods (hard candy, nuts, ice cubes), or any foods that could possibly get stuck in your braces (corn on the cob, soft bagels, ribs, taffy, etc.).

Be sure to schedule your routine checkups with your family dentist. It is recommended that you continue to visit the dentist every six months.

Make your dream smile a reality!

Call us or book your appointment today.

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Adjusting to Orthodontic Treatment

During the first couple of days after your braces have been placed and after a routine adjustment, you will likely feel mild discomfort. You may take acetaminophen while you adjust to your new braces or appliance. Please try to stay away from ibuprofen, studies have shown it slows down the movement of teeth.

General soreness

When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth, and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. Stick to a soft diet until your teeth do not hurt to chew. 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. An alternative mouthwash is Rincenol which is available at any drugstore or in our office. If the tenderness is severe, take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain. Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and Naproxen Sodium (Naprosyn, Anaprox) actually slow the tooth movement, so it is not advisable to use them frequently while wearing braces. 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. We'll show you how!

Loose appliance

If your appliance is poking you, place wax on the offending part.

Loose bracket

If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it if needed for comfort. If the bracket or band can be removed easily, place it an envelope and call the office during regular business hours to set up an appointment to replace it. (Remember to bring it with you to your appointment.)

Loose wire

Using a pair of tweezers or needle-nose pliers, try to put your wire back into place. It is ok 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, call the emergency line and you will be advised how to handle the poking wire. If the end of the wire is still sharp, place wax on it.

Poking wire

Using a pencil eraser, push the poking wire down or place wax on it so that it is no longer poking.

Emergency Care

Emergency vs. Routine Problem

True orthodontic emergencies are rare and will generally involve facial injuries or a throbbing pain that over the counter pain medications cannot control. If an emergency happens during regular business hours please call the office at (586) 416-4455. After hours please call our emergency answering service at (586) 662-0061, you will be asked to leave a very detailed message with the patient’s name, nature of the emergency, and the best number to reach you. A member of our clinical staff will return your call within 2 hours.

For more routine issues such as broken, lost, or loose appliances please call our office during regular business hours; Monday 9-5pm, Tuesday 8-4pm, Wednesday 9-6pm, Thursday 8-5pm, and Friday 8-4pm.

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to solve many problems yourself temporarily until you can get to our office. If there is a loose piece that you can remove with your fingers, put it in a plastic bag or envelope and call the office during regular business hours to set up an appointment. (Remember to bring it with you to your appointment.)

A loose bracket is not an emergency but it does need to be addressed. Use wax for comfort and to secure the bracket, then please call the office during regular business hours, Monday 9-5pm, Tuesday 8-4pm, Wednesday 9-6pm, Thursday 8-5pm and Friday 8-4pm, to set up an appointment to have the bracket repaired.

If you have a loose or poking wire you can use your fingers to put the wire back into the band or bracket. If you are unable to replace the wire you can cover the end with wax and call the office during regular business hours, Monday 9-5pm, Tuesday 8-4pm, Wednesday 9-6pm, Thursday 8-5pm, and Friday 8-4pm, to schedule an appointment.

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. If you have a regular appointment scheduled, call us immediately to notify us if you need an appliance repaired as this often requires additional time to be held for you.

Please do not come to the office without calling first to schedule an appointment, we need to ensure we have a staff member available and schedule time to address your concern.

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