FFA-Care-Sheet | DW4K-ALIGN

Helpful Videos and How To Instructions

We’ve assembled these quick and easy to follow videos for those in Orthodontic treatment to help you maintain and keep your treatment plan on-track.  If you have any concerns or question, please contact us as per the directions above.

Brushing Techniques

Brushing With Proxabrush

Decalcification

Flossing with Superfloss

Foods to Avoid

Wax Patient Comfort

Foods we consider to be hard and sticky

Ice cubes
Bones / ribs
Popcorn / Nuts
Pretzels / Nachos / Doritos
Raw fruit & Vegetables
Beef Jerky
Hard bread / Pizza crust
Gum
Caramels / Taffy
Chew candy

  • Hard breads and raw vegetables (apples, carrots, etc.) can be cut into small pieces and chewed with the back teeth.
  • FOODS HIGH IN SUGAR contribute to tooth decay by feeding bacterial plaque. If foods and drinks high in sugar are consumed, the teeth should be brushed immediately.
  • Foods that are hard, sticky or high in sugar can affect orthodontic treatment by:
  • Loosing brackets and/or appliances
  • Bending or breaking wires and/or appliances
  • Causing decalcification and decay of teeth
  • Breakage of orthodontic brackets and/or appliances is a sign of neglect. Braces and appliances should be treated with continuous care throughout the duration of treatment.

Orthodontic Tips & Pointers

Things To Expect:

  • Expect your teeth to become tender in a few hours after the application of your braces. This indicates there is movement already taking place, even if you cannot see it.
  • Your cheek may become uncomfortable as the brackets are now rubbing against them. Warm salt water rinses a few times a day can help alleviate this discomfort and promote healing to help your tissues strengthen.
  • Wax has been provided to you to help as a barrier between your brackets and tissues, use it as you see fit.
  • Build-ups on your teeth have been placed to prevent you from biting off any of your brackets and to help open your bite. This will progress your overall treatment time.
  • Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is the MOST IMPORTANT role you have as a patient. How you brush and floss on a daily basis does matter! Oral hygiene is assessed at every appointment, if there is a deficit in this area you will be sent to “Hygiene School”.

 

Poor oral hygiene can result in:

  • Permanent white spots on your teeth (initial cavity forming stage)
    Cavities
  • Halitosis (unpleasant mouth odour) caused by excess bacteria and food debris
  • Gingival hyperplasia (Puffy, Swollen gums) your bodies way of fighting bacteria.
  • YOUR TEETH NOT MOVING; PROLONGING TREATMENT TIME
  • Should any of your brackets come off before your next scheduled appointment; don’t be alarmed. If it is causing you discomfort, please call the office & schedule an appointment.
  • Should a wire begin to poke your cheek, either call the office or try to clip it yourself using a clean cuticle cutter or hobby wire cutters.
  • Proper nutrition plays an important role in your orthodontic treatment. Eating a well balanced diet aids in the health of your oral cavity.
  • The first 24 hours we recommend a soft diet of soups, smoothies etc. If solid foods are consumed to quickly, this may result in brackets loosening and coming off.

Soothing Smoothies: For when chewing with braces becomes difficult

  • 1 cup almond milk or coconut water
  • green apple slices
  • orange slices
  • mango chunks
  • blueberries
  • 1 cup almond milk or coconut water
  • 1 avocado
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • 1 cup almond milk or coconut water
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • 1/2 banana
  • 2-3 tbsp vanilla greek yogurt or frozen yogurt
  • strawberries
  • blueberries
  • 1 cup almond milk or coconut water
  • 2-3 tbsp vanilla greek yogurt or frozen yogurt
  • mango chunks
  • orange slices

Hygiene Score Information

Your hygiene will be scored at each visit.

EXCELLENT

You should be seeing clean teeth and healthy gums. Keep doing what you’re doing.

GOOD

You might see redness or swelling on your gums areound the teeth. Continue to brush twice a day s well as floss and flouride rinse.

AVERAGE

You might see redness or swollen gums. Be sure to follow your routine exactly as recommended.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

You might see plaque, chalky white spots on your teeth, and/or swollen gums./ Don’t skip brushing twice a day as well as flossing and rinsing once a day.

POOR

Alert! You probably see plaque, chalky white spots on your teeth and/or swollen, bleeding gums. If you score this twice in a row, see your dental professional ASAP.