BRACE YOURSELF FOR A NEW SMILE! Teen Orthodontics
You re Getting Braces! 2 Lots of kids have braces, and now you will, too. You probably have many questions: How do braces work? What will I need to do when I m wearing them? This booklet answers these questions and more. Read on to learn about braces and what you can do to help them work for you. Your Treatment Team Braces can give you a healthier mouth and a better-looking smile. But they need help to do their job. Your orthodontist will keep your braces working right. Your parents will do things like make sure you get to appointments with your orthodontist. And your dentist will clean your teeth regularly. But as the captain of your braces team, you re in charge of the rest! Your Role You ll need to go to all appointments with your orthodontist and dentist. But your main job will be to take care of your braces every day. This means following all instructions from your orthodontist. It also means brushing and flossing as you re told to and being smart about what you eat. Doing these things will help your braces work. It will also help you get your braces off on time! A Parent s Role You can help support your child during his or her treatment with braces. Make sure your child goes to all appointments and gets to them on time. Also see that your child takes care of his or her teeth and braces. This includes brushing and flossing as directed and getting regular dental cleanings. It also includes choosing foods that won t damage braces. Work with your child to help make orthodontic treatment a success.
Braces FAQs You may have heard a lot of things about braces, but do you know what to believe? This list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) has straight answers to some of the most common questions asked by teens. What if I don t wear my headgear or elastics as often as my orthodontist says I should? You may not get your braces off as scheduled. If you need headgear or elastics, they will play a big part in your treatment. Without that help, it will probably take longer for your teeth and jaws to move into the right position. Will I have teeth pulled? Only if it will help your teeth and jaws fit together better. If you have teeth removed, don t worry. Your braces will close up the spaces. What if I break part of my braces? Use the tips in this booklet to take care of your braces and avoid damaging them. If you do break a part of your braces, call your orthodontist right away to get it fixed. All the parts of your braces need to work correctly in order to move your teeth. What about sports? Can I still play? You bet! But be sure to wear a mouthguard if your orthodontist suggests it. Also, if you wear headgear, always remove it before playing sports. See page 5 to learn more. Do braces hurt? Your teeth may be a little sore after the braces are adjusted (see page 4). Taking over-the-counter medication, such as acetaminophen, can help you feel better. But most of the time, your braces won t hurt. And after you get used to your braces, you probably won t even notice you have them! 3
All About Appliances Braces do most of the work of moving your teeth into place. You may also need other appliances (orthodontic devices that help move or protect teeth). These pages explain how braces and other appliances work and what you can do to take care of them. How Braces Work Braces put steady, gentle pressure on your teeth. This is what makes your teeth move. To maintain this pressure, your braces need to be adjusted about every 4 to 8 weeks. During these appointments, your orthodontist changes the pressure applied by your braces. Don t be surprised if your teeth feel a little loose after an adjustment. They won t fall out! But they need to be a bit loose in order to change position. The Parts of Your Braces Ties are small rubber rings or thin wires that attach archwires to brackets. Ties can be clear, silver, or colored. Bands are metal rings. They hold the archwires on the back teeth. Headgear tubes hold headgear in place. Archwires are thin wires that apply pressure to move the teeth. At first, flexible wires are used. Later, these are replaced by stronger wires. Elastics (rubber bands) apply gentle pressure to help move upper and lower teeth into position. Elastics are held in place by elastics hooks. Brackets are bonded to the teeth. They have slots that archwires fit into. One type of bracket (selfligating) holds on to archwires in place of ties. Brackets can be silver, clear, or tooth-colored. 4 Taking care of my braces is pretty easy. And my orthodontist says if I do a good job, I ll get my braces off on time.
I wear my rubber bands all the time. I usually forget I ve got them on! Other Appliances You May Need Other appliances help fix your bite. This is how well your upper and lower teeth fit together. Or, they help protect your teeth and braces. Functional and special-purpose Mouthguard. Wearing a mouthguard appliances. These appliances can protects your teeth and braces help if you have a bite problem. You when you re active. Be sure to wear may be able to take these appliances your mouthguard during sports, out to eat or brush. Or, they may including football and soccer. Also be fixed. This means that only your wear it while doing activities such as orthodontist can remove them. skateboarding. Headgear. Headgear works with Retainer. After the braces come off, braces to help improve your bite. If you ll have a retainer. A retainer helps you need headgear, your orthodontist your teeth stay in place. Be sure to will tell you when and how long you wear it as your orthodontist tells you. need to wear it. Be sure to take Otherwise, your teeth might start headgear off before playing sports. moving back out of line! Taking Care of Your Appliances Well-kept appliances work better. So follow these tips for keeping your braces and other appliances in good shape: Don t pick at your braces. This can make parts come loose or break off. Watch for problems. If a wire sticks out, tuck it back in with a pencil eraser. Or, cover it with wax from your orthodontist. If a part comes loose or breaks, call your orthodontist and get it fixed. Always bring any removable appliances to appointments. Your orthodontist will check them and make sure they re working well. Be sure to change your elastics as often as your orthodontist suggests. This usually means changing them at least once a day. Brush any appliances you have whenever you brush your teeth. Any time you take out your retainer, rinse it and put it in its case. Never wrap it in a tissue or napkin. It might end up in the garbage by mistake! Also, don t put your retainer where it could get hot. This may cause it to warp. 5
Keeping Your Mouth Healthy Taking care of your teeth and braces helps keep your mouth healthy and your braces working. Regular brushing and flossing are very important. Your orthodontist may also suggest a fluoride rinse or a powered toothbrush. Other ways to keep your mouth healthy include eating smart and not chewing on anything but food. Brush Often Brush your teeth and braces as often as you re told to by your orthodontist. Brushing is important because there are so many places for food to get stuck and build up around your braces. Below are tips on how to brush properly: Be sure to brush between the wires and brackets of your braces. Gently brush the gums as well. Don t Forget to Floss Hold the toothbrush at an angle to the gums and use small back-and-forth motions. To brush the inside of the front teeth, use up-and-down strokes. Get into the habit of flossing every day. It helps remove all the plaque and bits of food between your teeth that your toothbrush misses. It also helps keep your gums healthy. Slip the floss under your archwires (a floss threader can help). Then pull the floss between your teeth and work it under your gums. Repeat with all your teeth. Then rinse. Brush the chewing surfaces of teeth, as well as the sides. Brush your tongue, too. Rinse with water. Then use other rinses or gels as directed. If You Don t Brush Properly... You could have permanent spots or stains on your teeth when your braces come off! 6
I broke off a bracket by biting into an apple and had to go get my braces fixed. Trust me, it s easier to just cut up the apple! Eat Smart Be careful of what you eat so you don t damage your braces. For instance, think before you bite into that corn on the cob. Is it worth the risk of breaking off a bracket? Here are tips on how to eat smart with braces. Try Soft and Bite-Sized Foods Soft foods are best if teeth are sore when braces are first put on and after adjustments. Soups, stews, pasta, and rice dishes are good choices. Also try scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, and yogurt. Bite-sized foods are less likely to damage braces, so cut up your food when needed. For instance, cut bigger, chewy foods such as steak, pizza, and bagels into pieces. Cut meat off the bone and corn off the cob. Slice up fresh fruits and raw vegetables, such as apples and carrots. Avoid These Troublemakers Certain foods can easily loosen or break your appliances, cause tooth decay, or both! Stay away from the following: Sticky or chewy foods (even nonstick!) Hard, crunchy foods tortilla chips Chew Your Food, Not Your Nails To avoid damage to your appliances, don t put anything in your mouth except food. This means no chewing on things such as your fingernails or the ends of pens or pencils. Sugary foods and other sweets drinks be sure to brush and rinse afterward!) 7
Teamwork for Straight, Healthy Teeth You and your parents, orthodontist, and dentist can work as a team to make your treatment successful. For your part, be sure to: Brush as often as you re told to each day. Don t forget to floss, too! Keep all appointments with your orthodontist. Take care of your braces and other appliances. Also, wear all appliances as instructed. Call your orthodontist right away if you break any part of your braces or other appliances. Have regular cleanings by your dentist. When you do these simple things, you have a better chance of getting your braces off on time. Your efforts will pay off in straighter teeth and a great-looking smile! Also available in Spanish TAKE OUR PATIENT SURVEY. Help us help other patients. Please visit www.kramesurvey.com to provide your feedback on this booklet. This booklet is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Only your doctor can diagnose and treat a medical problem. 2015 The StayWell Company, LLC. www.kramesstore.com 800.333.3032 All rights reserved. Made in the USA. 12215 1506