Phone: (717) 738 4901

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Phone: (717) 738 4901

Request an Appointment

Chikes Orthodontics in Ephrata, PA

Proper Care for your Braces & Orthodontic Appliances

Home | Proper Care for your Braces & Orthodontic Appliances

Proper Care for Your Braces and Orthodontic Appliances

Dr. Benjamin F.D. Chikes can help you choose the right braces or orthodontic solution, and he can help you care for them too. Here are some common tips for properly caring for your braces so you can get the best results for all your teeth alignment care needs. Call us if you have any questions.

Separators and Spacers

Sometimes teeth need to be moved to make room for braces, especially your back teeth (molars). We may have to put in spacers or separators in order to properly put the bands around those teeth. These are small springs and little plastic modules that gently move teeth apart so that the bands can be placed properly.
These separators may cause some temporary soreness that will go away in a few days. To relieve the soreness, rinsing with warm salt water can help. Normal chewing will also provide relief and help your teeth feel normal again.
If you lose a separator, call us to come in for a replacement. We need to create and hold that space until your next appointment so that we can place the bands for your braces comfortably and correctly.
Remember our spacer and separator tips:● Watching your eating habits● Informing us if you lose a separator so we can quickly replace it● Floss daily between all teeth except where the separators are placed.● Keep your appointments with us to maintain your progress.

braces in ephrata pa
Proper Care for Your Braces and Orthodontic Appliances

Hygiene for Braces

Braces are an investment in oral health; proper care ensures you get the most out of your treatment. Here are some maintenance tips:

    Daily Cleaning: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. A water flosser, proxy brushes, and many other products can help clean hard-to-reach areas.
    Foods to Avoid: Hard and sticky foods can damage your braces. Choose softer foods and cut fruits and vegetables into smaller pieces.
    Emergencies: Contact your orthodontist immediately for guidance for a broken wire or bracket. Keep orthodontic wax handy to cover any sharp edges temporarily.
    Regular Check-ups: Never skip your scheduled appointments for adjustments and cleaning.

Care of Elastics

Elastics or rubber bands are important components for your braces as they help provide the proper force to move your teeth into place. If they are not working as they should, no progress will be made on properly aligning your teeth. Here are some tips for caring for your elastics:
● Elastics should be worn 24-hours-a-day unless instructed otherwise by your dentist.● Elastics should only be removed for brushing your teeth or eating meals, and then put back immediately.● Carry extra elastics on you at all times for immediate replacements.● If you are low on elastics, please stop by our office for a new supply or call ahead so we can order more for you.● Irregular wearing of elastics causes increased soreness and makes your teeth harder to move into proper alignment.● Placing elastics on your braces may be difficult at first but will become easier with time and practice.● Elastics lose their strength the longer they are worn so please put on fresh elastics every 12 hours.● If you have a problem and cannot wear your elastics as instructed, call us today for an appointment so that we may assist you.

Proper Care for Your Braces and Orthodontic Appliances
Wearing and Caring for Your Braces

Retainer Wear

Once your teeth have been moved into the proper position or alignment, a retainer will hold them there so that tissues and bony support will return to a normal and stable condition, preventing your teeth from reverting to their previous misaligned state. Proper care for your retainer is essential.● Handle your retainer with extreme care — they are delicate appliances.● It will take a while to adjust to wearing your retainer — this is normal and is not a cause for concern.● Wear your appliance 24 hours a day unless specifically instructed otherwise. Wear your retainer while sleeping.● To reduce difficulty in speaking with the retainer in your mouth, we suggest reading aloud from a book for a half hour as soon as possible after getting the retainer.● After eating, brush your retainer with a toothbrush with cold water and mild dish detergent. Do not hold the wires while washing your retainer — only the plastic.● Before returning your retainer to your mouth, place toothpaste on your thumb or forefinger and massage the part of your mouth that the retainer rests upon with it. Rinse your mouth and then replace the wet retainer. Never place a dry retainer in your mouth.● Retainers will not break or be lost if worn as instructed. If it is broken beyond repair or lost, you will be made a new one at an additional cost to you.● Upper retainers can be removed, but should only be done so for meals, cleaning, and for active sports. If your lower retainer is removable, the same guidelines apply.● If your lower retainer is not removable, it is important to keep your lower teeth as clean as possible. Avoid chewing sticky food to avoid breaking up the cement under your bands.● Regular visits with your family dentist should be maintained. Proper oral hygiene is important. If a tooth is lost after orthodontic treatment, there is a heightened possibility of relapse.● The fee for the retention phase of your treatment is included within the entire orthodontic fee. If this fee has been paid, no additional fee will be owed. Additional fees apply for replacing broken or lost retainers.

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Chikes Orthodontics. All rights reserved © Copyright 2024. Created by DearDoc.

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Chikes Orthodontics. All rights reserved © Copyright 2024. Created by DearDoc.