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• Continue to visit your regular dentist while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Your dentist and hygienist know how to clean your teeth without damaging your appliances.
• Choosing softer foods such as poultry, seafood, pastas, or stews will cause less damage and discomfort.
• With tougher foods such as steak, pizza, and bagels, cut small pieces to make chewing easier.
• Slice fresh fruit and vegetables into bite-size pieces rather than biting into a whole piece. Cut corn off the cob.
• Remember to brush and floss! Good oral hygiene is more important now than ever. Ask Dr. Disher about special tools that can make daily dental care easier.
• Keep your appointments. Missed appointments interfere with the progression of your treatment and may result in an extended wearing period and increased costs.
• Use wax to blunt the end of wires that are causing irritation. Dr. Disher is happy to supply this at no charge.
• If you're supposed to wear rubber bands, wear them.
• Hard and sticky foods may bend, break, or loosen your appliances.
• If you can't give them up all together, be wary of problem foods, like popcorn and peanuts. If one of those tiny hulls get stuck between your teeth or next to a gum, you could end up with a very painful abscess.
• Believe it or not, eating french fries right after an adjustment to your braces will make your teeth feel better!
• Use a fluoride mouthwash nightly. Dr. Disher will provide you with a prescription for one he recommends, but the Act brand is a satisfactory substitute.
• If you're not very thorough at brushing your teeth, ask Dr. Disher about an extra-strength prescription toothpaste.
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