Frequently Asked Questions

Avoid hard and sticky foods, including caramel, taffy, corn chips, nuts, ice, whole apples, gum, candy, pretzels, pizza crust, corn on the cob, popcorn, and crusty bread.

Make sure all meats are cut off the bone and fresh fruits and vegetables are cut up into small pieces. The adhesive that we use is very strong; however, excessive force when chewing, particularly when teeth are moving may cause the adhesive and braces to become loose. If you feel a significant amount of resistance when chewing, do not bite harder, ease off on biting pressure.

Proper oral hygiene is very important in order to prevent any caries and decalcification.

Orthodontic Options has provided you with the proper tools to maintain excellent oral hygiene.

There may be times during your active treatment that brackets can come loose and / or the arch wires may begin to poke.

Do not panic! Contact our office so that we can make you comfortable. You may try to use wax and/or Tylenol or Ibuprofen for any discomfort.

What I can expect?

• Tenderness of the teeth for the first few days (use Tylenol or Ibuprofen and eat softer foods).
• Tenderness of the insides of the lips and cheeks for the first few days (use Tylenol or Ibuprofen, eat softer foods, and apply wax to dry braces or wire ends).
• Some mobility of the teeth (normal during tooth movement).
• Initial wires are extremely flexible. All precautions are taken to prevent the wire from slipping out of the back bracket (usually caused by hard foods flexing the wire). If any discomfort place wax on the dried last bracket. However, if discomfort continues call the office to clip wire.
• Loose braces may occur. Immediate relief can be achieved by placing wax over the bracket.