New To Braces?
Here's Our Kids Survival Guide!

Go for soft foods while your teeth are tender. Enjoy smoothies, soups, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or ice cream, to name a few. You could always go to the store and buy jars and jars of banana beef blended baby food because yum. Bet you are salivating at the moment just thinking about that combination. You’re welcome.

PSA - Dental wax can be used to create a smooth area over your braces to help reduce irritation of your lips, cheeks, tongue, or gums. Be sure to grab some at your next appointment!

That depends. Treatment plans vary by patient and may even change over time, but we will make sure you are up-to-date on instructions on whether or not to wear your elastics when you come in for your regular check-up/adjustments.

You’re DOOMED!!! Just kidding, we have you covered. You are welcome to stop by our office during business hours to pick some up or feel free to give us a call and we can mail them to you.

Common sense will guide you through for the most part, but here are a few pointers:

• Don’t chew things that aren’t food. (ex. Pens, pencils, fingernails)
• Avoid sticky and chewy foods. (ex. Bubble gum, candy, jerky)
• Avoid hard and crunchy foods. (ex. Nuts, popcorn, Ice)

Bite blocks/Turbos are going to help correct your bite, as well as protect your brackets from the pressure of being bitten down on repeatedly. Starting with soft food right after you get your braces will help with getting used to these. After about a week you will be a pro at maneuvering your bite to enjoy foods with more sustenance.

Just remember that a little goes a long way. Just dab a pea-sized amount of the NeutraMaxx toothpaste onto your toothbrush at bedtime and brush as normal. After you brush, don’t rinse your mouth out with water. Just spit out all the toothpaste. Be sure to avoid eating or drinking for about 30 minutes.

First off, DON’T PANIC! It could happen, but it is a quick and easy fix. Just keep the bracket (if you haven’t accidentally had it for lunch), give our office a call for an appointment to come on in to get it put back on the tooth. And don't worry about a swallowed bracket. The good news is, it shouldn't cause any problems going through. The bad news is, you won't gain any superpowers or metallic skeletons (there goes your X-Men gig). 

Just give us a call and we will get you in to take care of that thorn in your side…of your mouth.

Nope, so no worries of setting off any metal detectors or your parents sticking YOU on the refrigerator when you make a good grade or draw a cool picture.

Nice try but the time away from school is really minimal. Your time here with us at your appointments should be the only time you have to be away from growing your enormous brain.

Just go with whatever pain reliever and dosage that you would normally take for any minor ache or pain, such as a headache. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) works well for most people. If the soreness is really bad, alternating Ibuprofen with Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help.

Try this trick: The wax wants a dry place to live, so try drying the tooth and bracket with a Q-tip and then reapplying the wax.

Not at all! All of your brackets and wires can be easily cleaned around at your normal teeth cleaning appointments.

#Fabulous #Jealous #Amazing #BraceYourself #WhereDoIGetSome….just some of the many comments you’ll be seeing once you go viral.

Basically, a palate expander (AKA orthodontic or palatal expander) is used to widen a narrow upper jaw BEFORE starting treatment with braces or Invisalign. They help make sure you end up with a smile you love because if your palate is too narrow, your permanent teeth probably won’t have enough room to come in straight or properly (meaning your braces have to work harder for longer).