Getting Used to Your Braces

As much as braces will do to enhance your smile, and as satisfied as you’ll be with your new look when they’re removed, there will be days when you’ll be visited by soreness and slight discomfort. The benefits are well worth these mild irritations, but should they occur, please take a second to review the information listed below to bring relief to any of these symptoms.

To minimize soreness take Tylenol or Advil.

Brackets may cause some irritation. If this occurs:

• Use wax to stop the irritation
• Use a warm salt water rinse to heal the irritation
• Some over-the-counter products such as Zilactin?B may help as well.

Quick Fixes

Braces are not indestructible! In fact, they can be easily loosened or even broken if you are not careful.

With new braces, irritation can occur. This can be alleviated by:

Rolling a small piece of orthodontic wax into a pea size ball, place it over the area of the braces, which are causing irritation. This will provide relief to the area. If a wire comes loose and sticks you on the inside of your mouth:

Try tucking it in with the end of an eraser or a spoon. If that does not work, dry it with a tissue, then place wax over the wire to prevent further sticking.

Please notify the office of any other problems.