POST CARE INSTRUCTIONS AFTER BONDING IN BRACES

1. Maintain Oral Hygiene

• Brush Your Teeth Regularly: Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day, and make sure to clean around your brackets and wires thoroughly. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles, and a toothpaste that contains fluoride.

• Use Dental Floss: Flossing is very important to clean the spaces between your teeth and braces that cannot be reached with just a toothbrush. Use dental floss or a flossing tool specifically for braces, such as super floss or floss threaders, which help clean around the wires and brackets.

• Mouthwash: Use an alcohol-free antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria and reduce the risk of infection

2. Foods to Avoid

• Avoid eating hard, chewy, or sticky foods that can damage your braces or cause damage to the wires or brackets. These include:

• Hard candies, such as lollipops or caramels

• Hard foods such as nuts, popcorn, or crusty bread

• Sticky foods such as gum, chocolate, or foods that can stick to your braces (e.g., chewing gum)

• Cut large foods into small pieces before chewing to avoid unnecessary pressure on your braces.

3. Dealing with Discomfort

• Pain: A few days after your braces are fitted, or after adjustments, you may feel some pain or discomfort in your teeth or mouth. This is normal. You can relieve the pain with paracetamol or ibuprofen, but be sure to follow the dosage recommended by your doctor or pharmacist.

• Wound Sores: Braces and wires can cause sores or irritation on your cheeks or tongue, especially in the first few days. You can use a special gel or wax for braces provided by your dentist to cover the bothersome areas.

4. Braces Wire Monitoring and Care

• Wires Slip or Loose: If the braces wires move or slip, or if the brackets are loose, contact your orthodontist immediately to repair or replace the damaged parts. Do not attempt to fix them yourself using tools.

• Periodic Adjustments: You will need to attend regular appointments with your orthodontist to check and adjust your braces, usually every 4-6 weeks.

5. Rinse Your Mouth After Eating

• After eating, make sure to rinse your mouth with plain water or a water bottle if you can't brush your teeth right away. This will help reduce the buildup of food debris around your braces and prevent tooth decay or plaque formation

6. Using Additional Devices (If Provided)

• Some patients require additional devices such as headgear, rubber bands, or expanders to assist in aligning their teeth. Be sure to follow your orthodontist's instructions carefully to ensure that the devices are used correctly.

7. Control Bad Habits

• Avoid bad habits such as biting your nails, biting pencils, or chewing on hard objects that can damage your braces or wires.

• If you smoke, try to cut down or quit, as smoking can slow down the healing process and damage the appearance of your teeth and braces.

8. Emergency Treatment

• Lossed Bracket: If a bracket is loose, store it in a clean container and bring it to your next appointment for repair. If you feel uncomfortable, use wax to cover the loose bracket while waiting for treatment.

• Bent or Protruding Wire: If the wire is causing a cut on your cheek or gum, you can try to gently push it out with a cotton pad or apply wax to the area