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Separators make space between your teeth so that orthodontic bands may be placed around those teeth at your next appointment. When the separators are first placed, it may feel like food is stuck between your teeth, and your bite may feel different. The teeth may feel sore during the first few days, especially when you are biting down. Pain relievers such as Tylenol or Advil may help. Avoid eating sticky or chewy foods, because those may cause the separators to come out. Avoid flossing the teeth that have the separators, and avoid pushing on the separators with your fingers or tongue. These can also make the separators come out. If any of your separators do come out, please call the office so that we can determine if you need to have them replaced. Generally, if there are just a few days until your appointment, they will not need to be replaced.
Elastics help to move your teeth so that they can fit together correctly. When you first start wearing your elastics, it is normal for your teeth to feel sore, and for your bite to feel different. Pain relievers such as Tylenol or Advil may help. As you continue wearing the elastics regularly, the soreness will subside. You may remove the elastics for eating, sports, and cleaning your teeth. However, if you can eat with the elastics on, that increases their effectiveness. The elastics must be worn for the prescribed amount of time and on the correct teeth to be effective. Change them three times a day (or after meals). If you forget to wear your elastics for even one day, the teeth may move back and it could take double the time to make up for it.
Your headgear helps guide the growth of your teeth and jaws so that your teeth can fit together correctly. Put on and take off your headgear carefully the way we showed you. Never play roughly while wearing your headgear. The headgear strap will come off if pulled too hard. The strap may be machine washed. Bring your headgear to each appointment so that we may check and adjust it. When you first start wearing the headgear, it is normal for your teeth to feel sore and for your bite to feel different. Pain relievers such as Tylenol or Advil may help. As you continue wearing the headgear regularly, the soreness will subside. You may remove the headgear for eating, sports, and cleaning your teeth. The headgear must be worn for the prescribed amount of time to be effective.
A palate expander helps to widen the upper jaw so that the upper and lower teeth can fit together correctly. It may take a few days to get used to the feeling of the expander, as well as eating and speaking with it. Practicing to speak by reading books out loud can be helpful. When the expansion screw is turned, it is normal to feel some pressure around the teeth, jaw, and nose area. Usually this goes away within about half an hour. Make sure you brush the expander well, reaching around all of the sides and in the back.
Retainers are worn to help keep your teeth in place after your hard work with the braces! Put on and take off the retainers carefully the way we showed you. When you first start wearing your retainers, it is normal for them to feel tight and your teeth may feel slightly sore. As you continue wearing the retainers, they will become less tight. Sometimes it takes a few days to become adjusted to speaking and swallowing while wearing the retainers. You may remove the retainers for eating, sports, and cleaning your teeth. Any time you remove the retainers, they must be placed in their case. This will prevent them from being lost, damaged, or accidentally thrown away. Pets love to chew on them! The retainers should be cleaned daily by brushing them with toothbrush and toothpaste. Do not use the dishwasher or soak in mouthwash for an extended time. Denture cleaners may be used periodically. Please bring your retainers to each appointment so we may check them and make any necessary adjustments. The retainers must be worn for the prescribed amount of time to be effective. Your teeth can move even in a day or two if you forget to wear the retainers.
Permanent retainers are attached to the back of the teeth and should be kept as long as possible to prevent the teeth from moving out of place. Teeth will always have a tendency to return to their original positions, even if it has been many years since your treatment was finished. Keep the permanent retainers clean by brushing and flossing well around them. Floss threaders are helpful to guide the floss around them.
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