RUBBER BANDS

Common Questions:

What are Rubber Bands?
· They ensure proper movement of your teeth and correction of your bite
· They are very important to the final outcome of your treatment

How much do I wear them?
· You need to wear them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (even when sleeping) unless otherwise instructed
· You may remove them only when eating, tooth brushing, playing sports or musical instruments
· Consistency is the key to the success and final outcome of your treatment

Will I be sore?
· You may be sore for the first few days until you get used to them
· If you are inconsistent with wearing your rubber bands, the soreness will remain until you wear them consistently

Do I need to change them often?
· Change elastics daily even if not broken, as they will lose their ability to improve your bite
· Keep extras on hand in case they do break

What if I run out?
· Stop by the office and pick some up or call and we will be happy to mail them to you

Retainers

Here are some common questions about retainers....

What is the purpose of a retainer?
· Retainers are designed to maintain your teeth in a corrected position following orthodontic treatment
· Without proper wear, teeth may have a tendency to move or shift
How often should I wear my retainers?
· Retainers should be worn full-time (24hours / day) for 1 year. Then, night-time wear indefinitely
Will my retainer affect my speech?
· Your speech will be affected for the first few days as your tongue gets used to your retainers
· Reading out loud or continued speaking will help
· The more you wear your retainers the quicker you will get used to them
How do I take care of my retainers?
· Please use the retainer cases given to you. They protect your retainers from breaking when they are not in your mouth
· Clean your retainers with a toothbrush, toothpaste and cold water
· Be gentle especially around the wires, and do not squeeze the retainers, which may cause the retainers to crack
· Denture cleaning tablets can be used monthly, or as often as needed to remove plaque and buildup
Retainer Rules:
· Keep your retainers away from pets, as they love to chew them
· Keep retainers out of the sun, as they may distort.
· Never flip or play with the retainer with your tongue or chew on them. This may cause the wires to bend and the plastic to break
.Do not wear retainers during contact sports or swimming. Always have a case with you for these activities.
Questions?
· Give our office a call and we will be happy to help, and answer any questions or concerned

Remember wear your retainers; Shift happens!

When Is The Right Time For An Orthodontic Check-Up?

No later than age 7 according to the American Association of Orthodontist:

1. Orthodontist can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.

2. While your child's teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect.

3. The check-up may reveal that your child's bite is fine. Or, the orthodontist may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring the child's growth and development, and then, if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for the child. In other cases, the orthodontist might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.

4. Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated.

5. In some cases, the orthodontist will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.

6. Early treatment may give your orthodontist the chance to:

• guide jaw growth
• lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
• correct harmful oral habits
• improve appearance
• guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
• improve the way lips meet

7. Through an early orthodontic evaluation, you will be giving your child the best opportunitiy for a healthy, beautiful smile.

“Flossing with Braces”


Flossing with braces is very important during your treatment. The space between the teeth is nearly impossible to reach with your tooth brush. Therefore, regular flossing routines are necessary to prevent plaque buildup . You are probably thinking how am I going to floss when the wire is in the way? Well, you can thread the floss underneath the wire by hand or use a floss threader. That way you can floss just like you normally would. Flossing is important for the health of your gums, and in preventing gingivitis. Try to floss twice a day, if it is difficult for you, try to floss your upper teeth in the morning and your lower at night until you are comfortable with it.

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Look forward to seeing you soon,
Dr. Straffon