4 Things You Must Do While Under Orthodontic Treatment with Braces

Once you decide to undergo orthodontic treatment you are making a commitment to achieving your best smile possible. Our goal here at Wentz Orthodontics is to help you every step of the way, from your first day to your last day of treatment. Along with our help you must also work just as hard to ensure you experience with braces is a pleasant process.

Here is what you'll need to do:

1. Avoid Certain Foods: Please do not eat hard foods, including nuts, ice, crisp taco shells, whole apples and carrots (cut them into pieces first), hard French bread crust and rolls, spare ribs, corn on the cob (cut the corn off the cob before eating) and popcorn! These foods can cause breakage of the brackets and wires.


2. Brush after Meals: Use a soft toothbrush and brush at a 45-degree angle to the tooth in small circles above and below the brackets. Your toothbrush will wear out faster because of your appliances, so be sure to replace it whenever the bristles start to fray. If plaque remains on the teeth for any length of time, it can leave a permanent white scar on the surface. A waterpik or an electric toothbrush can be a useful addition, however, please continue to see your dentist at least every 6 months for regular dental cleanings.

3. Don't Forget to Floss: Flossing with braces takes a few minutes to master, but the effort is well worth it. The first step to flossing is getting the floss under the wire that connects the braces together. A floss threader will help you get the dental floss underneath your archwires.

4. Wearing Your Elastics: Elastics are essentially rubber bands that are attached to brackets, usually between the upper and lower or front and back teeth, applying tension and causing teeth to move. Elastics can be used in many ways depending upon the treatment goals.Leave them in during snacking. Be sure to replace the elastics with new ones immediately after meals and brushing. Part-time wear does NOT move teeth, but it does cause prolonged discomfort.

By following these simple instruction you are sure to have a positive experience with your braces. If you have any questions regarding braces treat please contact us today!