Living with Braces 

Throughout the duration of treatment it is crucial for patients to maintain good oral hygiene as well as follow the directions given by the Credit Landing Staff in order to achieve the most successful treatment possible.


Taking Care of Your Teeth While Wearing Braces

  • Since wearing braces makes it harder to keep teeth clean, it is important that brushing is done immediately after eating to prevent tooth decay and swelling of the gum tissue.  Credit Landing Orthodontics recommends that you carry a travel toothbrush so that you can clean your teeth after eating.
  • When you first begin to clean your teeth, brush your upper and lower teeth between the wires in an effort to loosen the particles that may be stuck in your braces.
  • Once this is complete, begin to brush the upper teeth by positioning the bristles at a 45-degree angle toward the gum.  Move the brush in a circular motion over a few teeth for 10 strokes and then move on to the next group of teeth.
  • After brushing the upper teeth is complete, repeat with inner side of the upper teeth.
  • To clean the lower teeth, repeat the previous two steps.
  • Look in a mirror to make sure that there are no food particles stuck in the brackets by looking at the half moon portions of your teeth.  If food is still visible continue brushing until the spaces between the braces and gums are clean.  Also check the space between the molar tubes and gums.
  • If brushing is completed correctly, the braces and teeth should look clean, shiny, and be free of all plaque and food particles.
  • VIEW BRUSHING DIAGRAMS

Eating Habits While Wearing Braces

Throughout treatment it is important to make sure that the following foods are not consumed because they may damage braces, consequently compromising the success of your treatment.  These are primarily hard, sticky foods such as:

  • Gum – not even sugar free as It bends the wires and breaks the brackets off the teeth
  • Any foods that contain nuts such as chocolate bars, peanut brittle
  • Any foods that contain caramel, toffee such as chocolate bars, ice cream
  • Popcorn
  • Crushed ice
  • Fruit Roll-Ups or gummy candies such as Fuzzy Peaches, Gummy Bears, or Sour Kids
  • Avoid all hard candy such as Sweet Tarts, Life Savers (Don’t bite them)
  • Avoid all hard bread such as pizza crust or French bread
  • Limit the consumption of all soft drinks
  • Carrot sticks and apples (these can be shredded or sliced but are not to be bitten into)
  • Biting into chicken wings and spare ribs
  • Any other foods that are high in sugar content

If patients or parents have any questions during treatment, the Credit Landing Staff will be happy to assist in answering them.  For any emergencies such as a broken bracket, or a wire cutting into the cheek, please call the office immediately and make an appointment for repairs to ensure your treatment continues smoothly.

Taking Care of Your Retainer

  • Wearing your retainer is crucial especially the first year after brackets are removed.
  • Retainers should be kept in the container given to you by the staff at Credit Landing Orthodontics to ensure that they are not damaged.  Keep the retainer in a safe place away from younger siblings and pets, particularly your dog.
  • Do not flip or play with the retainer in your mouth because it may distort or break the appliance.
  • Keep the appliance clean by brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste in cool water.
  • When patients first wear the retainer, speech may be affected.  This will improve within a few days once you get used to wearing the appliance.