Frequently Asked Questions about Braces

"What is all this stuff in my mouth?"

  1. Band - a ring of metal that is glued to the tooth.

  2. Bonded Bracket - an attachment bonded directly to the tooth.

  3. Archwire - a large removable wire that fits around the arch into the bracket slots.

  4. Ligature wire - a tiny wire that ties the archwire into the bracket or can be an Elastic Ligature - a plastic module that ties the archwire into the bracket.

  5. Hooks - used to attach elastics (rubber bands).

"I have a Loose Band or Bracket."

The Seal created by the cement (glue) has been broken. Call our office ad schedule an appointment. If either the band or bracket detaches from the wire, save it and bring it with you to your next appointment.

"Broken archwire or headgear; lost ligature or hook?"

These problems could cause the teeth to shift in the wrong direction and must be corrected as soon as possible. Do not attempt to attach headgear or elastics to loose band. Call our office and schedule an appointment.

"If the arch wire comes out of a tube..."

Try to place the wire back into the tube with tweezers. Place wax if uncomfortable and call for an appointment.

"Something is sticking me in my mouth!"

There is a wire that is sticking out and causing irritation. Try tucking it in with the eraser part of a pencil. If that doesn't work, dry it with a napkin and place wax over the wire to prevent further sticking.

"My teeth and gums are sore."

To relieve soreness, rinse your mouth with warm salt water and/or take Advil or Tylenol as directed.

"If you notice some small spaces developing between your teeth..."

Do not panic. This is usually normal and expected with braces as teeth move into different positions, particularly in the early stages of treatment. They will be closed eventually.

"What are Forbidden Foods?"

Hard Candy - Corn Chips - Popcorn - Jerky - Ice - Nuts - Pizza Crust - Corn-on-the-cob - Bubble Gum - Sticky Candy

Whole fruits and vegetables such as apples and carrots should be cooked or cut into small pieces.

"What General Advice can you give me?"

Use common sense when choosing food to put in your mouth and avoid chewing on hard objects such as pens and pencils.

Minimize sugar intake - Get plenty of rest - Eat proper foods - See your Dentist regularly.

Keep your teeth and braces meticulously clean!

If you experience any bleeding when brushing or flossing, that usually means there is a local area of infection. Continue to keep the area clean by brushing, flossing and rinsing with Listerine. If a particular area is painful or you notice a bump of any sort, let us know.