Care instructions between visits
Quick fixes and daily care tips for retainers, appliances, and general soreness. When in doubt, call us. We'd rather hear from you than have a small issue turn into a delay.
Keeping your retainer in good shape
- Wear your retainer exactly as prescribed, until Dr. Taylor tells you otherwise.
- Take it out to eat, and put it straight into its case, never a napkin or your pocket.
- Clean it once a day with a toothbrush and lukewarm (never hot) water.
- Keep it out of hot cars, washing machines, and swimming pools.
- Bring it to every appointment, and call us right away if it's lost, broken, or feels off. Don't try to adjust it yourself.
With proper care, a retainer will last for years. Replacements aren't cheap, so a little caution goes a long way.
Common appliance issues
A temporary fix at home can hold you over until we can see you, but always call to schedule a repair afterward, since damaged appliances can slow down your treatment.
Loose wire
Use tweezers or the eraser end of a pencil to gently push the wire back into place, or cover the end with a small piece of orthodontic wax. If it's sharp, a clean fingernail clipper can trim the end behind the last tooth it's attached to.
Poking wire
Push the poking end down with a pencil eraser, or place wax over it so it stops irritating your cheek or gum.
Loose bracket or appliance
Apply a small piece of wax over the loose area to prevent poking or rubbing, then call us to schedule a repair.
Managing general soreness
It's normal to feel general soreness or tenderness for three to five days after getting braces on or after an adjustment. A soft-food diet and a warm salt-water rinse (about 1 teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of water) can help.
For pain relief, acetaminophen-based medication is recommended; avoid aspirin and ibuprofen, since they can interfere with tooth movement. Your lips, cheeks, and tongue may need one to two weeks to adjust to the braces themselves. A bit of wax over any spots that rub will help.
Adjusting your expander at home
Tip your head back in good lighting so you can see clearly.
Insert the key firmly into the hole in the appliance.
Push the key toward the back of the mouth until the fender rotates and a new hole appears.
Press the key backward and downward toward the tongue to remove it.
We'll walk through this with you in person before you adjust an expander on your own. Call us any time you'd like a refresher.
We're just a phone call away
If something feels off with your braces, retainer, or expander, don't wait it out. Give us a call and we'll get you taken care of.