How To Care For Braces
Brushing:
     You have bands, brackets, o-rings, and a wire in your mouth after appliances (braces) have been placed at the upper banding appointment.  It is extremely important that you keep your appliances clean at all times.  This will mean brushing after each meal and every snack.  You will need to floss at bedtime each evening prior to bedtime to keep your gum tissue healthy.  Be sure to check your teeth in a mirror after each meal or snack to make sure your appliances and teeth are clean. 
Foods to avoid:
Hard crunchy foods;  ice, peanuts, popcorn, hard candy, pizza crust, hard chips, taco shells, ect.

Sticky chewy foods;  gum, gummy bears, caramel, taffy and licorice, ect.

Regular food groups;  apples and carrots will need to be cut into thin slices.  Meat will need to be cut off the bones and into small bites.  Cut corn off the cob and be sure to cut apples into quarters.
Care:
If something becomes loose or broken, call our office and let us know so we can get the problem repaired.  Your teeth will move back if you wait and this will make your treatment longer. 
Appointments:
Appointments will be every four weeks for an adjustment to your braces.  The appointments may be scheduled by calling our office or at the current appointment.  Please do not come to your appointment if you are sick or have a sore throat.  There will be four long appointments during your treatment time (records appointment, when upper braces go on, when lower braces go on and the day you get the braces off) and the rest of the visits will be about 15 to 20 minutes.  We will make every effort to work with you schedule.