The first three days are very critical in allowing the bond of the braces to set completely. We ask that you stay away from food or drink that is hot or cold. Your high tech arch wires react to hot and cold. If you aren’t careful, you increase the chance of weakening the bond and loosening/breaking a brace. You may find using straws or letting things cool off, or warm up helpful. Keep your diet very soft initially. After three days have passed you can begin introducing foods that are not on our No-No Food List. In fact, we will ask you to begin doing “Rinses” for us, which is rinsing with warm water at least 10 times a day and cold water once a week. This will activate your arch wires which will help tooth movement/bite correction.
If you were given elastics to wear at your initial visit, please wait three days before beginning to wear them unless you are told otherwise. We don’t want you to put pressure on a brace that is newly bonded because you may weaken the bond and loosen/break the brace.
We recommend that you take Ibuprofen if needed for discomfort the first three days. Tylenol can be used to relieve your discomfort after 72 hours.
Archwires
There is a sequence of arch wires that you will progress through during treatment. Your first archwire will most likely not be attached to the last braces on the lower arch because it is such a light wire and may come out when eating. Your second wire will be attached to the last brace. It is also normal for some movement of the wires (especially the initial wires) from side to side during treatment because the system is frictionless. Don’t forget your “Rinses” as you progress through the arch wire sequence. You will rinse until you have your final wires placed. Dr. Vecere and his staff will let you know when it is not necessary to do that anymore.
Coil Springs
You may or may not have a spring placed on your wires throughout treatment. If you do and they face out towards your lip or cheek causing irritation, you can try to spin the spring with your fingertip or fingernail so the sharp end faces your teeth.
Please ask Dr. Vecere or one of his staff members if you have any questions.