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Once you have started your orthodontic treatment, here are some hints that will help you get used to your braces.

General Soreness:
You may experience some discomfort after your appliances are placed. Take Advil as needed for pain relief. For persons under 100lbs take one (1) tablet only (200mg) every 4-6 hours as needed to relieve discomfort. Soreness should end by the third day.

Loosening of Teeth:
Do not be alarmed if your teeth feel loose. Teeth must loosen first so that they can be moved. Your teeth will become rigidly fixed in their new positions after treatment is completed.

Athletics:
If you take part in athletics, it is important that you consult us for special precautions. Mouthguards are indicated in almost all circumstances. We recommend 'boil and bites' which can be purchased at athletic stores.

Loose or Broken Appliances:
If a wire, brace or appliance becomes loose, don't become alarmed. If a wire is poking, use a pencil eraser and carefully push the wire under the brace to get it out of the way. If your lips or cheeks are irritated, place wax on the area to reduce the annoyance. If a wire comes out of a band, replace the wire by putting it through the hole in the back band. Wires can also be cut with wire or nail clippers. If a brace becomes loose you may remove it by taking off the o-ring around the brace with a toothpick.
In any circumstance, call the office! We may need you to come in right away or we may lengthen your next appointment.

Emergency Appointments:
As a general rule, an emergency appointment is made when there is a loose band, brace, or appliance, severe pain, a broken wire or something sticking out that you can't take care of yourself. If something doesn't seem right and you have a question you should not hesitate to call. Most situations can be handled over the phone. You should become familiar with the "orthodontic appliance diagram" in your booklet. If you have a true emergency when the office is closed, you may page Dr. Di Giovanni at 949-707-8112. Please remember the paging service is for emergency situations not appointment changes.


Solutions for Common Problems

Loose brackets or bands
If a brace comes loose, call Dr. DiGiovanni and Dr. Cook's office as soon as possible for advice. Sometimes it is important to re-attach the brace right away but most of the time it is okay to wait until your next appointment. If you have a problem on the weekend or at night and need to cut a wire or slide a bracket off the wire, please feel free to do so and call our office on the next working day. We will evaluate the problem to determine if it is necessary for you to be seen immediately.


Fingernail clippers are a useful home remedy for cutting wires. Please wash and alcohol the clippers before using them.

Wire irritations
If a wire on your braces is causing an irritation, try pushing it away from the area being irritated by using the eraser end of a pencil or a cotton swab. If the wire cannot be tucked away, cover the end with a small piece of wax or cotton ball. You may also cut the wire with scissors or nail clippers. Call our office for an appointment if you cannot solve the problem.

     

Lost separators
It is quite common for some patients to lose at least one separator during the process that prepares your mouth for braces. Most of the time separators do not need to be replaced.

Discomfort Associated with Treatment
Most orthodontic patients experience some pain the first week after their braces are placed and after routine adjustments. You can use non-aspirin pain reliever or ibuprofen to ease this discomfort and eat soft foods. If your braces are causing soreness in your jaw joints, try using a moist heat compress or a warm wash cloth to apply gentle pressure to alleviate the ache. This discomfort should subside in several days.