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How teeth move
Bone surrounding teeth can be stimulated and induced into remodeling itself. When a light pressure or force is applied against a tooth to move it in a given direction, bone will resorb in the direction that the tooth is moved and new bone will be deposited on the opposite side where the tooth comes from. It takes a few days before a tooth starts to move and it is mainly during that period that teeth may be sensitive. This usually happens at the beginning of treatment and after the orthodontic wires are modified or changed.
When a tooth has started to move, it will continue to do so unless the force driving them is interrupted. When this happens (for instance when patients don’t wear their elastics), tooth movement stops and must start over again. This, in turn, will lengthen treatment duration. This is why it is important toalways wear the elastics full time or as prescribed.
Teeth will eventually move when elastics are worn as prescribed. Because the forces applied against a tooth must be very light to prevent damaging the surrounding tissues, elastics must be worn continuously (24 hours/day unless otherwise instructed) to generate the proper kind of light force and obtain the desired results. If they are worn one day but not the following day, even for a few hours only, tooth movement will stop and the benefits obtained during the previous days may be lost. We know from experience that it is possible for patients who are motivated to wear their elastics full time, even while eating (for certain types of elastics). Great cooperation with elastics is the best way to obtain better and faster results. If for some reason, elastics cannot be worn as required, get in touch with us as soon as possible.
When you wear the elastics continuously, you may notice that, as the teeth move, they may rotate, become looser and show some mobility. Thisnormal phenomenon is to be expected; teeth need to be loosened before they can be moved. They will eventually become fixed in sound bone once they have reached their new corrected position. Tooth mobility should not worry you unless there is extreme discomfort or excessive mobility. If that is the case, please call our office.
Tooth sensitivity following bonding
It is not unusual to feel some tooth sensitivity or discomfort following the insertion or adjustment of orthodontic appliances. During the first few days after getting your braces, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and your teeth may be sore or tender, especially if you apply pressure on them or if you chew hard food. If discomfort is severe, you can take a light analgesic such as what you normally take for headaches (Tyenol, Advil, aspirin, etc.) to try to alleviate the discomfort until you get used to your appliances. You can also rinse your mouth vigorously with lukewarm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water). Braces can sometimes irritate the lips, cheeks, tongue and gums, especially during the early stages of treatment when the tissues get accustomed to the surfaces of the appliances. We will give you some orthodontic wax and show you how you can cover the irritating portions of the appliances coming into contact with the soft tissues of the mouth.
Oral Hygiene
Orthodontic appliances as such do not cause caries, decalcification or gum disease but they may be a factor in retaining food particles and dental plaque. Unless such debris are completely removed, caries, decalcification and gum disease may appear. Bacteria found in dental plaque accumulating on the teeth cause caries and tooth decalcification. The bacteria produce acid, which progressively dissolves the tooth surface. This can lead to decalcification (surface staining) and eventually to caries. Although a certain individual variation in susceptibility to caries exists, the best wayto avoid caries and stains is to have an impeccable oral hygiene and to follow the hygiene instructions given to you at the beginning of treatment. Proper oral hygiene techniques will be demonstrated to you to make sure that you understand them.
Teeth must be brushed and cleaned thoroughly after each meal or snack. A good oral hygiene technique requires time and practice to master (brushing duration should be approximately two (2) minutes). We recommend the use of a small brush head with soft bristles. It is important to apply enough pressure while brushing to feel the bristles against the gum tissue. If your gums are sore or bleed easily while brushing, tell us so that we can evaluate the cause of that problem. For certain patients, an electric toothbrush may be very useful. Many models exist on the market but some perform better than others. Ask us if you would like to have more information about electric toothbrushes.
Regardless of how well we clean and prepare your teeth before we put your braces on, only adequate oral hygiene during the whole duration of treatment will keep them clean. We will straighten your teeth but taking care of them is your responsibility!
Eating with Braces
Orthodontic appliances as such do not cause caries, decalcification or gum disease but they may contribute to such problems if certain precautions are not taken during orthodontic treatment. Certain foods may cause appliance breakage, which may require additional visits to repair the broken parts. In order to minimize these problems certain items such as hard foods, chewing gum, sticky or hard candies, ice cubes, popcorn, etc. should be eliminated from your diet
Carefully choose the type of food that you eat and be cautious about the way you chew. Hard foods such as raw carrots, celery and apples may damage the appliances if they are not cut before eating. It is recommended not to chew nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, “noisettes”).
After the braces are put on, it is suggested to maintain a softer diet for a few days. This will help getting used to the appliances during the first few days of initial discomfort.
Elastics
Elastics are one of the most important components of orthodontic appliances (braces). They exert a force that helps moving the teeth in a desired direction. When indicated, they must be faithfully worn as prescribed otherwise treatment may last longer and treatment quality may be compromised. If you have problems wearing your elastics, tell us immediately. Do not wait until your next appointment. Communicate with us if you run out of elastics. You can drop by the office at any time to get elastics (make sure our office is opened) or we can mail you some.
By faithfully following our instructions, we are confident that your treatment will be a valuable and enjoyable experience for all. We are always available to give additional explanations about any aspect of your treatment if necessary.
Dental visits
We recommend and insist that all our patients continue to visit their general dentist for regular check-ups and cleaning throughout the duration of their orthodontic treatment. The frequency of the dental appointments may vary depending on the dental condition of individual patients. These visits will allow your dentist to follow the progress of your orthodontic treatment and monitor any condition that may require a particular attention from his part. If we notice any situation or problem requiring a dental intervention, we will refer you to your general dentist.
