General Instructions
Oral Hygiene
Handling Emergencies
Ortho Home Page

General Instructions for Patients

Your Braces

Congratulations, you have made the big decision and are now wearing braces.  The following information will help make your orthodontic treatment as easy as possible.  Our goal is to give you the best smile possible.  In order to accomplish this, we will need your help!!

Oral Hygiene

It is important for you to know that the build up of plaque on the teeth or around the braces can easily cause gum disease, cavities, or permanent marks (white spots) on the fronts of your teeth.  With braces, it will take you a bit longer to brush your teeth properly.  Here is some good advice to make brushing easier and help you do a more thorough job.

If you want to see or print all of these instructions, click the General Instructions button, or just click on the buttons below to look at specific topics.

Emergencies & Finishing On Time

A loose bracket generally is not an emergency, but if it is poking or bothering you, you may come in for an emergency visit.  If one of the back molar bands comes off, please come in for an emergency visit and bring the band with you.

If a wire has shifted, broken, or come out and is stabbing you, please give us a call immediately.  This is an emergency.  Use the wax if it will help.  If for any reason something is giving you excess pain and is not merely the initial discomfort from a new wire, please call the office immediately.

In order to finish in the amount of time we estimated at the beginning of treatment, we will need the following:

  • Good cooperation with elastics
  • Good attendance at your appointments
  • Minimal broken appliances
  • Good brushing

If you are deficient in any of these areas, your treatment time may be extended.