Attached Appliances
There are some general instructions regarding your new orthodontic appliance.
Instructions
- Avoid hard or sticky foods such as licorice, gum, toffee, hard candies, ice cubes, etc. These can break, loosen or damage the appliance. Other foods such as apples and raw vegetables must be cut into small pieces before eating.
- After eating, carefully brush your teeth and the appliance. Make sure that you clean all areas and under the wires.
- Check your appliance regularly for loose bands or broken attachments. If you find any, please call our office immediately.
- Do not play with the wires as frequent bending of the wires can lead to them distorting and eventually breaking.
- If you notice that the wire or bands seem out of place, please call the office and we will get you in to have them checked as soon as possible.
- If the wires are bothering your tongue, it may be possible to put some wax on the wires at night until your tongue gets used to the wires. It often takes a piece of wax the size of a pea or larger to stick onto the wires. If you are having trouble, try a larger piece as it can wrap around the wire and stay in place better. You will have to remove the wax when you eat.
Things you may notice:
- Eating may be difficult at first. Be patient and eat soft foods and in a few days you will be able to eat more foods. You may notice that you tend to salivate more than usual, but this is temporary
- There may be a metallic taste, sometimes noticed with a new appliance. This disappears in a day or two.
- With the appliance in place, your speech might be slightly affected but, if so, will probably be completely normal in two or three days. Reading aloud to yourself can help this process.
When the appliance is removed, we will discuss whether retainers or further orthodontic treatment will be recommended