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Your teeth are sore specially while eating |
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As the teeth start shifting to their new position with the pressure from wires, they exert pressure on surrounding bone and periodontal fibres. Due to this pressure, the surrounding blood vessels get squeezed and blood supply to the bone is reduced. This leads to changes in the bone with formation of pain mediators and you feel pain in the teeth. The pain typically is maximum on the first day which reduces gradually over the next three days. On the fifth day you may have little or no pain.
To minimize the initial pain,
• Chew on sugar-free gum (Orbit) with chewing surface of teeth only, 4-5 times a day. Do not allow gum to stick to the braces
• Take painkillers prescribed to you
• Continue eating regular food. Do not go on a liquid or very soft diet just because it hurts while eating
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You are developing painful ulcers / cuts in mouth
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In our mouth, the tissues lining the inner cheek and lips is very soft and delicate. Presence of braces and wires irritates them due to constant friction between the tissues and the braces. This may lead to development of small ulcers or cuts in those friction areas. Gradually, there is keratinization of that area and the ulcers heal. Unless there is something really sharp that constantly cuts into the lip or cheek, you will be absolutely normal within a weeks time.
To minimize the discomfort,
• Gargle with warm saline water 5–6 times a day
• Apply the medicine which has been prescribed on the cuts.
• Do not pull your lips over the braces.
• Use the relief wax to cover the pokey part of the braces.
• Keep wet cotton rolls between cheeks and braces to minimize the discomfort.
• Contact office immediately if the cuts and pain persist even after a week. You may be requiring additional adjustments of the wires by the Orthodontist.
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You are not able to close your mouth completely. Some of your teeth can not meet. |
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Sometimes, Orthodontist may glue bite blocks to your grinders which are called turbos. These are used for assisting or facilitating certain tooth movements. Even if it is very uncomfortable initially, don’t worry you will learn to eat your food with turbos.
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Your teeth seem to shake more than normal. |
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This is absolutely normal. When your teeth start shifting , there is lot of remodeling of surrounding bone taking place. So during orthodontic tooth movement, there is less bone support to the teeth than normal. Also there is widening of periodontal ligament space which makes the teeth shake more than normal. Usually the tooth shakes about 0.5 mm in the socket during orthodontic tooth movement. After your braces treatment completes the tooth mobility returns to physiologic level.
( 0.25 mm) during the retention period.
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INSTRUCTIONS THAT YOU MUST FOLLOW WITH BRACES ON |
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Do not eat hard, crusty, tough and sticky food. |
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- Hard food like chikki, candies, nuts, sugarcane etc. should be totally avoided. They may loosen your braces.
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Sticky food like chocolates, chewing gums, cheese sandwich, toffees etc. should not be taken. It may get stuck around the braces making the cleaning difficult and lead to cavities or gum problems. Sticky food may also disturb the wire movement in the brackets making your treatment difficult to accomplish.
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Certain Certain food has to be specially prepared to be had with braces on. |
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Apple, cucumber, radish, carrot, etc. have to be cut to bite size pieces and had with the back teeth.
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Hard crunchy biscuits, toast etc. Should be dipped in tea, coffee, milk before eating.
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Almonds, ground nuts etc. should be soaked or boiled in water to soften before eating.
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Try to avoid eating too many sweets. |
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Avoid having aerated drinks like coke and pepsi |
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These drinks are acidic and hence may cause teeth erosion.
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Due to their acidic nature it may decrease the bond strength of the braces and loosen them leading to frequent emergencies.
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Brush your teeth several times a day preferably after every small or large meal. |
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- Brush your teeth in horizontal motion above , over and below the braces.
- Use the orthodontic brush or an electric toothbrush for effective cleaning.
- After brushing examine your teeth in the mirror and look for any residual food remnants on the teeth or braces. If found repeat brushing to remove them.
- Use interdental brush , dental floss to remove plaque between teeth and hard to reach areas.
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Use fluoride mouthwash as prescribed. |
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- The fluoride mouth wash prescribed to you helps to protect your teeth from cavities.
- Take small quantity of mouthwash in mouth preferably undiluted and swish it around teeth for at least 3 minutes. Do not eat or drink anything for minimum 15 minutes.
- Use it once a day , preferably after night brushing.
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Protect your face from blows and injuries. |
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- Take care not to get hurt on face during day to day activities or field games.
- Do not indulge in fights.
- Try not to involve yourself in contact sport like boxing, karate etc. If it is unavoidable, inform the office so that we can make teeth guard for your teeth, which will minimize the injury potential.
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Do not try to adjust the appliance yourselves. |
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- Do call up office in case of an emergency to fix a loose brace or hurting wire or loose elastic.
- Self adjustments may be harmful as it may overactivate or diminish effectiveness of wires or may lead to asymmetric wire activation.
- Wear your elastics exactly as instructed. Do not rely on your common sense or instinct to alter the pattern of elastic wear. It may ruin your final result.
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