Life with Braces

*Remember to brush after every meal and floss once a day!*

*Cut these foods first: Steak, Corn on the cob, Ribs, Chicken, Carrots, Apples, and Pears
*Avoid Chewing on these items: Fingernails, Bottlecaps, Waterbottles, Pens, Pencils, and Ice
**Playing a contact sport? Ask for a mouthguard, they are complimentary! **

Don’t forget to brush after every meal, and floss everyday!

*Don’t forget to brush twice a day and floss daily. You can brush and floss as normal, while avoiding flossing the areas with spacers. *If a spacer comes loose or falls out, PLEASE contact our office. Text or call us if you have any questions!

1. A lower bonded retainer is recommended by Dr. Baker for most patients. Since the upper teeth rest against the lower teeth, it is critical that the lower teeth stay straight.

2. A bonded retainer is a small, thin wire cemented behind the lower six teeth.

3. A bonded retainer should remain in your mouth permanently.

4. Brush your teeth at least twice a day. When brushing, make sure you clean the wire and the inside of your lower teeth. Floss daily and use Superfloss or a floss threader between the wire and the gums. Place the stiff tip of the Superfloss or floss threader at the gum line, push the floss through, and gently floss at the gums — making sure not to pull up with the floss.

5. Don’t worry; your hygienist can easily clean around your bonded retainer.

6. Do not bite sticky candies like taffy or licorice with your front teeth — they can cause your bonded retainer to come loose!

1. Wear as directed by Dr. Baker: 8–24 hours per day or night.
2. Insert your retainers into place using finger pressure only. To remove your retainers, pull down on the back part first, working from back to front until the retainer releases.
3. Rinse your retainers with cool water each time they are removed from your mouth — avoid letting saliva dry on them. At least once per day, brush your retainers with a toothbrush and toothpaste, then rinse with cool water. Do not squeeze the back ends of the retainer together, as this may cause it to crack.
4. Remove your retainers while eating.
5. Bring your retainers to each check-up visit.
6. If your retainers feel too tight or will not stay in place, your teeth are moving — please call us right away!

Hints to Avoid Losing or Damaging Your Retainers

• When you take your retainers out to eat, store them in your case. Never wrap them in a napkin, set them on a tray, or put them in your pocket.
• Avoid heat: it can warp your retainers. Do not leave them in a hot car or wash them in hot water.
• When wearing retainers part-time, store them in their case in a safe place.
• Keep retainers away from pets; they love to chew on them!

1. Elastics are an important part of orthodontic treatment.
   They are used to correct the way the upper and lower teeth fit together. This fit is called the occlusion or bite.
2. Placement is critical.
   You have been shown which brackets to hook the elastics onto. It is extremely important to wear the elastics exactly as shown. Wearing them incorrectly may result in the teeth not moving or, worse, moving in the wrong direction. If you are unsure how to wear your elastics, please ask Dr. Baker or one of the Clinical Assistants — they will be glad to help.
3. Wear elastics full time.
   It is very important to wear your elastics 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Part-time wear results in slower movement, no movement, and actually causes more discomfort than full-time wear.
4. Expect some initial soreness.
   Your teeth may feel tender for the first few days. As you adjust to the new pressure, the tenderness will disappear. Dr. Baker only recommends elastics when absolutely necessary to correct your bite. The beautiful, healthy smile you will achieve is well worth the short-term discomfort.

1. Turn the expander every other day.
   Insert the key into the expander hole and turn one whole turn from front to back. It is important to stay on schedule every other day for the best results. Remember whether you are turning your expander on odd or even days.

2. Brush after each meal.
   Brush around your back teeth and the expander. Be sure not to leave food stuck between the roof of your mouth and the expander.

3. Use orthodontic wax for comfort.
   If the sides of the expander irritate your cheeks, place a ball of orthodontic wax on them. You can eat with the wax in place; however, remove it when you brush.

4. Expect some initial tenderness.
   Your upper jaw may feel tender during the first two days. As you adjust to the new pressure, the tenderness will disappear. Expanders are only recommended when necessary to correct your bite — the beautiful, healthy smile you will achieve is well worth the short-term discomfort.

5. Maintain the expander after expansion.
   When the correct amount of expansion has been achieved, Dr. Baker will instruct you to stop turning the expander. It must remain in place for at least 3–4 months after turning is complete to maintain and stabilize all expansion.