Current Patients

For Current Patients at Farr West Orthodontics

Thank you again for choosing Farr West Orthodontics for your orthodontic treatment! For our current patients, we have collected several resources about braces, retainers and more to help you make the most of your orthodontics. Read on for more!


The Do's and Don'ts of Braces

For many patients, having braces may mean changing some eating habits. Eating proper foods and minimizing sugar intake are essential during orthodontic treatment. Your braces are precise appliances that can be damaged by eating or chewing hard or sticky foods. Eating certain foods will loosen braces, but you may not discover the problem until hours or days later. Loose bands, detached brackets and bent wires can increase treatment time and may result in additional treatment fees.

Remember:

  • Avoid soda pop and drinks that contain sugar.
  • If you do eat any foods or drinks that contain high amounts of sugar, please brush your teeth immediately. If you aren't close to a toothbrush, rinse your mouth with water.
  • Cut corn off the cob.
  • Whole fruits and vegetables should be cooked or cut into small pieces and eaten carefully.
  • Any meat cooked on the bone, can be pulled off and eaten.
  • Pizza crust and bagels can be eaten if they are broken into small pieces and chewed carefully.

The No-No List

  • Hard Pretzels
  • Chips
  • Ice
  • Suckers
  • Hard Candy
  • Nuts
  • Beef Jerky
  • Popcorn
  • Bubble Gum
  • Caramel
  • Sticky Candy
  • Soda Pop
  • Pizza Crust
  • Bagels
Just remember; always use common sense when choosing foods to put in your mouth. If it's hard, sticky, or feels like it may aggravate your orthodontic work, the best bet is to simply avoid it and eat something else!


Orthodontic Emergencies

Have a wire poking or a broken bracket and not sure what to do? We have the directions you need on what to do in case of an orthodontic emergency. There are a variety of orthodontic problems you may experience in between appointments, like loose brackets and poking wires. These problems are very common; so if one of these issues happens to you, don't panic! Here is some instruction on what to do in case of an orthodontic emergency.

Loose Bracket

If the bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it in place. If it's bothersome, cover it with orthodontic wax. If it comes out completely, bring the bracket in with you at your next appointment. Do not connect rubber bands or extra oral appliances to a loose bracket.

Lost Tie

If a lost tie is bothering you, cover it with orthodontic wax. Please contact the office to ask if an appointment is necessary.

Wire Out

First, try to reinsert the wire back in its tube with CLEAN tweezers or nail clippers. If it becomes irritating, cover the wire with orthodontic wax and call for an appointment.

Long Wire

Try to clip the wire with CLEAN nail clippers or wire cutters. At your next appointment, don't forget to advise the assistant. If clipping the wire is unsuccessful, cover it with orthodontic wax and call for an appointment.

Brushing and Flossing with Braces

Proper brushing and flossing methods are a little different when you have braces. Learn how to avoid the common pitfalls of stains and other problems by learning the correct way to brush and floss with braces. Proper brushing and flossing is an important habit to the average person, so consider it an absolute MUST for anyone with braces! Your braces and orthodontic fixtures are a trap for food particles, and if they are not properly cleaned out, these bits of food can leave permanent white or brown stains on the teeth after your braces are removed. Read the descriptions below for step-by-step instructions on how to properly floss and brush with braces.


Brushing with Braces

Start by brushing your teeth exactly as you normally would, rotating the brush in a circular motion. Then, to make sure you clear all the food particles that may be trapped in your braces brackets, tilt your brush at a 45-degree angle above the bracket and brush downwards onto your teeth, right at the spot where the top half of the bracket meets the tooth. Repeat this for the bottom half of your teeth, angling upwards where the bottom half of the bracket meets your tooth. Then, brush once again as normal, making sure to brush reach outer, inner, and chewing surfaces, and rinse thoroughly.

Flossing with Braces

Take a piece of dental floss that is approximately 18 inches long. First, slide the floss through the wire in between two brackets, then pull it in between the teeth. Gently move the floss back in forth in a sawing motion, curving it toward each side of the tooth and gently sliding it beneath the gum. Free the floss from between your teeth, then pull the full piece out of the bracket. Repeat this process for each tooth.



Braces Diagram

Ever wonder how all those brackets and wires are working to make teeth straight and beautiful? Check out our orthodontic diagram to find out! This diagram gives you an in-depth look at what exactly is going on inside your mouth after your braces have been put in.




Retainers

To make sure you keep you teeth straight and your smile beautiful, follow the instructions from the orthodontist regarding your retainer very closely. In addition, here are some basic tips on keeping your smile looking great and your orthodontic retainer intact.
  • Only take your retainer out to eat or swim. The doctor may advise you otherwise, but until then, this is a simple rule to follow!
  • Always put your retainer in its case. The most common causes of a damaged or lost retainer results from not putting it away properly. Often, the retainer is placed in a napkin at dinner that is thrown out, it becomes the dog's new chew toy, it's left in the hot dashboard of a car, or placed in a pants pocket and destroyed by the washing machine. Any of these disasters could be avoided by simply putting your retainer in its case!
  • Brush your retainer daily. This will get rid of plaque and odors. If you still find that your retainer carries an odor after brushing, you may soak it with an effervescent tablet and water in addition to brushing.
  • Practice speaking. If you find it difficult to speak normally while wearing your retainer, please do not give up on wearing it! Practice speaking and singing, and your speech will soon adjust.
  • Come in if you have a problem. Please do not attempt to adjust your retainer yourself! Call us to schedule an appointment and the orthodontist will help you figure out how to solve the problem.
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