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Dr. Morarend is an orthodontist at dubuque orthodontics

RESOURCES AND FAQs

SORENESS FROM BRACES AND APPLIANCES

Remember, discomfort is normal after appliances and braces are initially placed or adjusted. We promise this tenderness will not last forever! After braces are “tightened” you may feel sore initially, which will subside with time. It is advisable to take a low dose of mild pain reliever as needed. Please do NOT exceed dosages recommended on the bottle.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CLEAR ALIGNERS AND INVISALIGN WEAR/CARE CLICK HERE

ORAL HYGIENE WITH BRACES AND APPLIANCES

Orthodontic appliances can make it more difficult to remove food debris and plaque, thus making the teeth more susceptible to cavities and decalcification (white marks). Therefore, excellent oral hygiene is expected throughout the duration of orthodontic treatment. Brushing, flossing and supplemental rinses are necessary. Brushing after every meal and snack and flossing once each day are important. Also, it is essential to continue seeing your general dentist for routine cleanings and care. We give every patient extensive oral hygiene instructions once appliances are placed.

Brushing with Braces

Flossing with Braces

WHAT TO AVOID
Any sticky foods, including:
– Caramel
– Gum
– Gummy bears
– Tootsie Rolls
– Starburst®
– Taffy, etc.

Hard foods, including:
– Hard, uncooked fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots and celery, unless cut into small pieces
– Hard candies (i.e. Jolly Ranchers, jawbreakers, etc.)
– Chewing on ice
– Nuts
– Hard bread
– Corn chips
– Popcorn
– Corn on the cob
– Pretzels
– Pizza crusts
– Jerky

It is important to avoid chewing on fingernails as well as pens and pencils or any other foreign objects.

Also, try to limit consumption of foods and liquids that are high in sugar content.

DO consume foods high in nutrition and use common sense when deciding if a certain food should be eaten. Remember, anything hard or sticky may be problematic.

 

HOW TO HANDLE AN EMERGENCY

While things can break or poke you periodically, there are few real emergencies during the course of orthodontic treatment.

Loose band or brace:
If a band (metal ring around the tooth) or brace comes loose, it is typically not a significant problem. Simply call our office and schedule an appointment to have it reattached to the tooth. If this happens in the evening or over the weekend, you can call on the next working day. Leaving the loose brace in place is preferred; however, if it is causing discomfort, wax can be placed on it. Or if necessary, you can remove the loose brace by clipping the archwire with a fingernail clipper that’s been washed and disinfected with alcohol.

Wire irritation:
Wires can sometimes shift or break during the course of treatment. If this should occur, call our office for an appointment. If after hours or on a weekend, you can try to bend the wire with a pencil eraser or place wax on the area causing irritation. Also, the wire can be clipped with a fingernail clipper that’s been washed and disinfected with alcohol.

Braces Problems

FAQs

Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatment.
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends an orthodontic screening at age seven. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition and identify current problems and anticipate future issues.
Each patient is unique, and we cannot give you an exact cost for treatment until having performed the initial examination. During this visit we will review the several financing options available to accommodate your needs. We will also file all orthodontic insurance claims.
Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled four to eight weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school as a result of their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.
Yes. We understand your busy schedule and are happy to help you make the most of your time. On some occasions, we may request to speak to a parent about their child’s treatment progress when they return.
Generally, braces do not “hurt.” After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications such as Advil or Tylenol will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits patients do not feel a great deal of soreness.
Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for most sports.
Yes! Regular checkups with your family dentist are important while in braces. Your family dentist will determine the intervals between cleaning appointments while you are in braces.
Yes. Once treatment begins we will explain the complete instructions and provide a list of foods to avoid. Some of these foods include ice, hard candy, raw vegetables and all sticky foods, (i.e. candy and taffy). You can avoid most emergency appointments for broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.
Oral hygiene is extremely important while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Brushing after every snack and meal and flossing at least once a day are essential to achieving a beautiful smile.
Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment, we will follow that patient’s growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.
Phase One Treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One Treatment usually lasts about 6–18 months. The primary objective for Phase One Treatment is to address significant problems, prevent them from becoming more severe and improve self-image and self-esteem.
It’s best to assume that your child will need full braces even after Phase One Treatment. The period following the Phase One Treatment is called the “resting period,” during which growth and dental development are closely monitored. Throughout this period, patients and parents will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.
A surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, 25% of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is “too old” to wear braces.

Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners. These are plastic trays that intimately cover your teeth. Although it is an alternative treatment modality, not all patients are candidates for clear aligner therapy.

https://www.invisalign.com/

Check out the iBracesHelp App in the iTunes App Store:
iBracesHelp is a free, informative application for people wearing braces or those who are interested in getting orthodontic work done. The application is full of useful information, pictures and videos on caring for your braces and what to do if you have problems with your braces.

This app was developed by braceshelp.com.