FAQs
What Do I Need To Know?
The material of ceramic braces blends in better with the color of the teeth, making them less-noticeable. However, You need to pay close attention to the food and drink you ingest, as some can stain the ceramics. Your orthodontist will give you a list of what to watch out for.
Braces require a more hands-on approach. Food and bacteria can easily get caught in all the crevices of your braces, leading to a buildup of plaque. Brush your teeth after every meal, using circular motions to clean the entire surface of the brackets. Then finish up by flossing twice a day.
While the time can vary for each patient, appointments will usually fall between every 4-8 weeks.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation at about 7 years old.
Early treatment is the key to fighting major issues in the jaw or makeup of the teeth. With annual assessments, your orthodontists will be able to notice if your child’s teeth are pointing towards the development of a major issue. It saves your child a lot of pain by preventing long, drawn-out treatments in the future.
Braces are made up of brackets affixed to the teeth, connected by a metal wire. Clear aligners cover the entire surface of the teeth in a clear casing. Unlike braces, clear aligners can be removed and placed back on the teeth at any time. This makes brushing and flossing a lot easier!
This depends on the severity of the situation. If a wire is out of place or poking you, covering the area with wax should settle the matter until your next appointment. However, if the issue continues to cause you pain, or it is a more serious matter (like a broken tooth), set up an appointment as soon as possible.
Absolutely. While we want to help you create a beautiful new smile, your general dentist will be keeping an eye on the health and upkeep of your teeth and gums.
Orthodontic emergencies are, thankfully, very uncommon. If you can identify an issue, such as pain or a damaged appliance, there is no need to panic. In most cases, there are temporary measures to resolve a problem before you even come in. That is your first step. After you have applied your temporary fix, call our office to schedule an appointment. We will have you in as soon as possible for repairs.
Loose Appliance
- If your appliance has shifted out of place to poke at you, cover the problem area with wax. This will alleviate the discomfort until your orthodontist can readjust it.
Loose Bracket
- If your bracket or band has become loose, but remains affixed to the wire, leave it on and cover it in wax. Then, set up an appointment with your doctor to reattach the bracket to the tooth.
Loose Wire
- First, take a tweezer and try to shift the wire back into its proper place. If the wire will not return, or if the discomfort persists, use wax to cover the affected area. Then, set up an appointment with your doctor to readjust the wire.
Poking Wire
- If your wire is poking your gums, use the eraser end of a pencil to push the wire back into place. Otherwise, you can cover the wire in wax until your next appointment.