How To Handle Common Issues With Your Braces | 60465 Orthodontist

Orthodontist Oak Lawn, IL

How To Handle Common Issues With Your Braces | 60465 Orthodontist

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Braces are the most popular and effective way to correct the alignment of your teeth. For some orthodontic patients, minor irritation or other issues can occur. Luckily, these issues are often easily resolved. For your reference, we’ve compiled a guide to understanding how to best handle a few issues you might experience.

Discomfort From the Brackets

Minor discomfort for the first few days after placement or adjustment is normal. We advise sticking to a diet of soft, easy-to-chew foods. You may find it helpful to rinse your mouth with warm salt water. You may take ibuprofen if you feel you need it. If discomfort continues beyond the first week, contact our Palos Hills, IL orthodontic team for guidance.

Food Stuck in the Brackets 

It may take some time to adjust to eating with your braces. If food gets caught between your teeth, try using ortho flossers or a water flosser. Creating a small knot in the floss might make it more effective at catching the lodged piece of food. Small toothbrushes or interdental cleaners may also be an effective way to clean out the gaps between your teeth and in brackets. A toothpick may also work, but use extra caution when working around the wires of your braces.

Cheek and Lip Discomfort

Wires and brackets can rub against your lips or inner cheeks causing discomfort. In these instances, use non-medicinal relief wax to cover the problematic area. This can make eating and talking more comfortable. The wax is harmless if accidentally swallowed. You can ask our 60465 team for some orthodontic wax if you need it. 

Loose Wires 

Though not common, wires can shift and protrude into your mouth. Attempt to push the wire back into place against your teeth using a cotton swab or even a clean pencil eraser. Make sure to let us know about the issue during your next visit. If the wire breaks or pops out completely, call our Palos Hills office for an appointment as soon as possible. 

Loose Brackets or Bands 

Any loosening of your braces should be examined by our team. Loosening may occur from eating hard, crunchy foods or from playing contact sports. Your best defenses are avoiding troublesome foods and wearing a mouthguard if you are playing sports. If any part of your braces comes off, please save it and bring it with you to our office.

Adjusting to braces can take some time. Always have non-medicinal relief wax on hand in case your braces become an irritant. If your braces are loose or parts are falling off, please contact us immediately. The best way to keep your braces secure is to avoid sticky, hard, and crunchy foods. Don’t forget to brush thoroughly after each meal to clean out any food particles that may have become lodged between your teeth. For questions about your braces or tips on how to care for them, please contact our 60465 orthodontist.

Ways To Care For Your Retainer | Palos Hills Orthodontist

Orthodontist Oak Lawn

Ways To Care For Your Retainer | Palos Hills Orthodontist

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When you first get your retainer it can be easy to forget it or neglect it. Once you get used to having one, it can become second nature to regularly care for it. Your retainer is an important way to maintain the position of your teeth after orthodontic treatment.  We’ve assembled a list of five tips to help you get well-versed in caring for your retainer. 

1. Keep It In, Unless…

Your retainer should be worn for the entire day. Without it, your orthodontic treatment results will suffer. There are only a few exceptions to this rule. Do take out your retainer while you eat, clean it, during sports, and as directed by your dentist and our doctor. Otherwise, wear it regularly. You are also less likely to lose it the more that you wear it. 

2. Use Your Case

Your retainer will come with a case to store it in. When it’s out of your mouth, use the case. We’ve heard many horror stories of patients putting their retainer in a napkin while they eat, only to throw it away by mistake. We’ve seen parents digging through the trash for their child’s retainer.  A replacement retainer can be costly, so treat yours with care.

3. Clean it Regularly

Your retainer needs to be kept clean. Like your teeth, plaque and bacteria can build up on it, which can be harmful to your teeth. We recommend cleaning your retainer every time you brush. Rinse your retainer with water, then use toothpaste and your toothbrush to give a gentle scrubbing. Rinse it off one final time before putting it back in your mouth.

4. Be Careful With Sports

Contact sports pose a risk of damaging your retainer. Even non-contact sports may cause you to experience some degree of facial trauma. While playing sports, your retainer should be removed and placed in its protective case. Ask our orthodontist about a custom mouthguard to protect your teeth during these activities.

While receiving orthodontic treatment, we will schedule a series of appointments with you to measure your progress.These visits are important for ensuring your results are maintained. They allow our team to make sure your retainer continues to fit properly, as well.

It may take some time to become comfortable with caring for your retainer. Follow our guide to stay on track. Keeping your retainer clean is just as important as keeping your teeth clean. Don’t forget to remove your retainer while eating, and always use the case to store it when it is not in your mouth. For more tips on care of your retainer or to schedule your next visit to our Palos Hills, IL orthodontist, please contact our team.

Paul DiFranco Orthodontics of Palos Hills
Phone: (708) 930-5941
10059 S. Roberts Rd. Suite 2A
Palos Hills, IL 60465