Your [practice_name] orthodontist installed your braces to help adjust the alignment of your teeth into your ideal smile. Every four to six weeks you will need to come visit us for an adjustment session. Each time your braces will be tightened and tuned.

It’s important to keep in mind that if any part of your braces is damaged, or you develop tooth decay issues, it could very well increase the number of required adjust sessions, and total time you need to wear braces.

Chewing gum and eating sticky foods are two of the most common causes of damage to braces. These foods have the ability to bend wires, loosen brackets or even dislodge a spacer. You should also beware crunching on hard foods, chewing ice and hard candies, as it could also bend wires and damage bands. This also extends to bad habits like chewing on hard objects, pencils, pens and ice.

If some part of your braces is damaged and there is sharp point threatening your cheek or gums, you can secure the problem area inside the special orthodontic wax you were given when the braces were installed. If you don’t have the wax readily on hand, you can use a pencil eraser in a pinch.

Brushing and flossing twice a day is critical for removing plaque and residual food particles. If you’re having difficulty cleaning around the braces or flossing the spaces between your teeth, you might want to try using interdental brushes or a floss threader with waxed dental floss.

If you have questions or concerns about the best way to clean and maintain your braces, you can always call [practice_name]’s offices in [city], [state] at [phone] to ask a question.