Soft or hard bristles?
In general, a toothbrush head should be small (1" by 1/2") for easy access. It should have soft nylon bristles with round ends. Some brushes are too abrasive and can wear down teeth; a soft, rounded multi-tufted brush can clean teeth effectively. Press just firmly enough to reach the spaces between the teeth as well as the surface.

How long should you brush?
It is recommended that you brush 3 to 4 minutes.

Should you use floss?
Yes. Floss removes plaque and debris that adhere to the teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Floss is the single most important weapon against plaque.

How often should you floss?
Floss at least once a day for about 2 to 3 minutes.

2. The temporary crown will feel rough and may impact food. These should not be problems with the final crown. Although the temporary may feel foreign, the permanent crown will be very much like your own teeth.

3. Please do not chew gum or anything hard/sticky that could cause the temporary to loosen. Light function.

4. When flossing, pull floss through rather than up into contact. It may be best not to floss that tooth at all until permanent crown is seated.

5. If temporary dislodges, re-cement it with denture adhesive or temporary cement (Fixodent, Dentemp). If the temporary still won't stay on, call our office only if it is painful without the temporary or it is an aesthetic distraction. The tooth can be left uncovered, if necessary, for several weeks safely without long term problems.

2. Apply a small amount of gel, per tooth, to the inside-front of the bleaching tray.

3. Insert the appliance over the teeth. Spit out the excess. Do not swallow the gel.

4. Wear the trays continuously for the length of time directed. Remove trays after recommended time. Rinse out trays and store in case. Keep away from children and house pets.

5. Keep all scheduled follow-up appointments.

Note: Discontinue the process if persistent sensitivity, gum soreness, or other harmful side effects are observed. Avoid coffee, tea, and other food products that may stain teeth. Do not use any tobacco product.

Refills of the bleaching gel are available in the office. If you have any questions about this procedure, please feel free to call anytime.

Teeth are moved by the application of mild but continuous forces via your orthodontic appliances. As excessive force can damage teeth, they are moved slowly and in a step-wise fashion towards the end result. Expect a number of transitional "bites" and teeth positions as we move forward in treatment. Some soreness of the teeth is to be anticipated; usually, over-the-counter pain relievers are adequate to control this discomfort. This tenderness of the teeth and gum tissue is usually noticeable only for 3 -4 days after an adjustment.

Suggested Foods/Beverages Include:
Pastas, soups, stews, yogurt, breads, tender meats and vegetables, other soft foods; milk, water, non-acidic fruit juices.

"Forbidden" Foods/Beverages Include:
All hard or sticky foods, carbonated or acidic beverages, candy, and gum

Braces themselves do not harm the teeth. However, even slight plaque build up around them can be extremely damaging to the teeth and gums. Excellent home plaque control, including flossing and thorough brushing, is mandatory for a safe and aesthetic result. More frequent hygiene appointments may also be indicated.

2. Pressure: If you have bleeding, maintain pressure on the area by biting on the gauze provided. If you run out of gauze, a tea bag is a good substitute. Continue biting on the gauze until bleeding is absent or just barely evident. This is extremely important. The pressure greatly reduces the chance of facial discoloration and helps the clot form. If you are wearing a denture, gentle pressure on it is adequate.

3. Rinsing: You may rinse gently with warm salt water (a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water).

4. Eating: It is important that you maintain your intake of food. You probably will not be able to chew near the incision. If the incision is under a denture, you probably will not be able to eat with the denture until the sutures are removed. You can eat yogurt, cottage cheese, bananas, soft boiled eggs, oatmeal, broth, and anything else you can think of that is basically sipped or swallowed without chewing. As the soreness goes away, you can add more chewable foods to your diet.

5. Sutures: Please do not pull at your lip or at the sutures.

6. Discomfort: Some discomfort is unavoidable. You will be given a prescription for a pain medication. You may take the pain medication in conjunction with an over-the-counter anti-swelling/inflammation medication such as Advil or Motrin for greater effect. You may find that the over-the-counter medication is all that is necessary.

7. Suture Removal: Re-absorbable sutures will dissolve. If that type of suture is not used, you will be given an appointment for suture removal 10 days after surgery.

2. Place and remove the retainer gently. Forcing or biting the retainer into position may distort it, affecting its fit or function.

3. Remove the retainer prior to eating, keeping it in its case to prevent loss. Warning: household pets love to steal these appliances and chew them.

4. The retainer can be brushed daily with baking soda and/or soaked in a denture cleaning formula (Efferdent or Polident).

5. Disinfecting, odor removal, and some stain removal may be accomplished with a tablespoon of household bleach in a cup of cool water. Soak for one hour.

6. Calcium build-up (firm, whitish accumulations) can be removed with a vinegar soak: two tablespoons of vinegar per cup of cool water. Soak for one hour.

7. Please follow the doctor's wearing instructions. Return immediately if sore spots or other problems interfere with proper retention. If you lose, break, or distort the retainer, call our office. Return if you feel a tooth is moving unfavorably.