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Foods that cannot be cleaned off the braces may lead to discoloration and decay your teeth. Even though our braces and wires and metal, they are fragile and are usually damaged by eating the wrong foods, thus taking us longer to finish our treatment.
| ABSOLUTELY NO |
| GUM |
Sugarless or otherwise |
|
STICKY
|
caramels Sugar Daddies Starbursts
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FOODS
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caramel apples Sugar Babies licorice toffee Tootsie Rolls gummy bears
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| HARD |
nuts hard candy bagels popcorn Doritos hard pretzels jerky corn on the cob apples (unless cut into small pieces)
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|
MINIMIZE SUGAR INTAKE
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|
EAT MUCH LESS
|
candy cookies cake ice cream foods with sugar pie |
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DRINK MUCH LESS
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soda pop drinks with sugar
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Avoid chewing on pens, penciles, fingernails
You may be able to solve many braces problems temporarily by yourself until you schedule a repair appointment with our office. These problems need not cause delay in your treatment.
| Problem |
Home Solution |
| Loose Band or Bracket |
If band or bracket is still attached to wire, leave in place. If uncomfortable, place wax on it. If it comes out completely, wrap brace or bracket in tissue. |
|
Loose Wire
|
Try to place wire back in place with tweezers. If that is not possible clip wire with fingernail clippers behind last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If any discomfort, place wax on it.
|
|
Poking Wire
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Try to push sticking wire down with a spoon or eraser. If not possible, place wax on it.
|
| Lost Tiewire or Elastic Tie |
Notify us at next appointment.
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Soreness
|
Use warm salt-water rinses and/or Tylenol or Ibuprofen. |
|
Headgear Does Not Fit
|
Sometimes caused by not wearing as prescribed. If face bow is bent call office at once.
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| Loose Appliance |
If appliance is sticking or poking place was on it. |
If you feel you are unable to handle a problem on your own, please call us as soon as possible.
Eric L. Quillen, D.D.S.
Specialist in Orthodontics
And Dentofacial Orthopedics
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