Six Month Smiles Patient Instructions

What to Expect While Wearing Braces

  • Your teeth and lips will be sore for about 1-2 weeks (everyone is different)
  • If you have BITE GUARDS placed on your teeth (most patients) you will only be able to bite on the bite guards. Your other teeth won’t touch until about 2-4 months into treatment
  • You will get used to eating with the BITE GUARDS! Hang in there!
  • Use wax and Ibuprofen (or other pain meds) to help aid with discomfort
  • Wax can be used in any area that is bothering you (wires or braces)

If One of the Braces (Brackets) Come Off

  • We want the braces to stay on your teeth. If one pops off your tooth, it will sometimes come out of your mouth and it will sometimes stay on the wire.
  • If the dislodged brace (bracket) isn’t hurting you, just try to hang on to it until you come in for your next adjustment
  • You are responsible for keeping the braces on your teeth!

Avoid the Following Foods

  • Anything that is harder than a PRETZEL:
    - crusts, nuts, bagels, chicken wings, popcorn kernels, raw vegetables, whole fruit, candy, taffy and ANY OTHER FOOD THAT WILL POP A BRACKET OFF

Brush and Floss Your Teeth

  • Brush like crazy!
  • Keep all plaque off of your teeth so that it doesn’t harden up and turn into tartar
  • Use your finger nails to check if all soft plaque and debris has been removed
  • Teeth move slower when plaque and tartar is in the way!
  • Your adjustments will be easier if your teeth are clean!
  • Flossing can be difficult but it is do-able. Thoroughly Floss at least twice per week.

Please call if you have questions that aren’t answered on this form



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