Brushing With Braces
It will take some time to get used brushing your teeth after getting braces. Make sure you brush your teeth well when you have dental braces because proper brushing is vital to keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Poor brushing can cause permanent damage to your teeth. This damage can be in the form of permanent white spots, brown spots, cavities, and/or gum disease. To prevent this from happening, you must develop a system of cleaning all the surfaces of every tooth. This Brushing Braces Video will explain proper brushing techniques on how to brush your teeth with braces, as well as how to use a proxy brush to clean in between your braces.
Flossing With Braces
Cleaning between your teeth is necessary to prevent decay and infected, swollen gum tissue. In order to clean between your teeth, you will need to floss. With orthodontic braces, it is difficult to floss normally because the archwire is usually in the way. Also, if your teeth are crooked, it may be difficult to pass floss between two crooked teeth. The proper way to floss with braces is to first direct the floss under the archwire using a floss threader or superfloss. This Flossing Braces Video teaches you how to floss your teeth with braces.
Braces Problems Video
When you have orthodontic braces, you may experience some problems at times. For example, at first you may have some soreness or tooth pain. If you eat something you are not supposed to eat, you can break parts of your braces. You may also find that the orthodontic wires may start to poke and irritate your lips or cheeks. This video will cover common braces problems and how they can be handled at home. If you have a problem that you cannot resolve on your own, call your orthodontist’s office. Your orthodontic team will be able to give you advice on how to solve the braces problem yourself or schedule you the appropriate appointment so that your problem can be fixed.
How To Replace A Lost Spacer
Separators or spacers are used frequently when you first get braces. Separators or spacers are tiny elastic rings that are placed in between two teeth. The purpose of spacers is to create space for placing bands. If a separator comes out within a day or two before your next appointment, there usually will still be enough space to place the band. If it is more than a day or two before your next appointment, you can try to replace the spacer yourself. This video will introduce you to separators and teach you how to replace a spacer if it falls out.
How To Turn A Palatal Expander
After the Palatal Expander is cemented in place, your orthodontist will give you instructions on how often to turn the screw inside the Palate Expander. Your orthodontist will provide you with a key to turn the screw. You will need to turn the expander yourself or have somebody else turn it for you. This video will illustrate the proper technique for turning the Palatal Expander screw as well as common mistakes in activating the expander.
Some patients will have orthodontic braces at the same time as the palatal expander. Other patients will get braces after the expansion is completed. Each patient is different and it depends on several factors including your bite, teeth, and jaw structure
