Congratulations! You are on the way to a picture perfect smile! We probably covered a lot of ground today and we know this can be an "information overload" appointment. So it's best for you and your parents to spend 30 minutes today reviewing the following items:

1. The highlighted sections of the copy of your "Diagnosis and Treatment Plan

2. Pages 4-5 & 20-23 in your "It's up to you" braces book.

3. Your blue laminated cards, which summarize the care of your braces, teeth and gums.

In particular, please review and remember the commitment you made to the "Four Golden Rules of Braces":

1. Keep your gum line, teeth and braces clean.

2. Avoid habits and foods that can damage and loosen braces and wires.

3. Keep your appointments

4. Later in treatment cooperation with elastics and headgear will become critical to completion of treatment on time.

Please inspect your homecare kit and practice hygiene steps again while they're fresh on your mind. Get help from Mom and Dad if you are having trouble and it's always a good idea to have them check with a flashlight after you brush to catch trouble spots.

Hang your cards on the mirrors as handy checklists, and look at the photos often. They will remind you why you are working so hard for that picture perfect smile.

Review the SOS steps outlined on the blue laminated card entitles "Problems and Solutions" should you have any problems later in treatment. A lot of problems like poking wires can be handled at home. If the problem cannot be temporarily solved at home or if you are not sure what to do, call the office during business hours, (Mon - Thurs 9-5), to describe the problem over the phone. There is a handy diagram of the appliances at the bottom of the blue card titled "Four Things That Can Shorten Treatment Time". We will make a short comfort/sos visit to get you comfortable. If the problem requires a more extensive fix, we'll deal with it at subsequent appointments.

This will not necessarily be the very next appointment if there is another procedure that supersedes the problem in importance - your overall progress is always our priority and the orthodontist knows best what the current priorities in treatment are. The best solution to problems is prevention. Please remember to be careful and avoid breakage. It always delays your progress several weeks to months each time it happens.

Eating & drinking right after the placement of my braces:

Yes. We use light cured bonding adhesives, which set immediately.

Yes. Some soreness is normal and to be expected. How much discomfort varies from person to person.

Now here's what helps to minimize the soreness:

• Take Advil or Tylenol for the first 2-5 days. Soften your diet.

• Some suggestions are: omelets or hot cereal for breakfast, sandwiches and smoothies, protein shakes, steamed veggies, ice cream. Ok, you get the idea. Chew sugarless gum to relieve pressure on the teeth.

Chapstick on lips and wax on braces helps a lot. Callous like tissue will soon grow so try to wean yourself off the wax. For really sore spots, cold sores and fever blisters, try applications of orabase with benzocaine or Orajel on the tissue. If a particular area does not heal after 2 weeks, please let us know.

You can prevent problems with your braces by following good flossing and brushing routines, along with healthy eating habits.  Here are a few examples:

Healthy gums and teeth start with good flossing and brushing habits.  This becomes especially important when you have braces.  Here are a few techniques you can use during your treatment to give you the ultimate healthy teeth and gums!:

If you have a loose bracket, band or wire, please call the office during business hours to let us know and have it noted in your treatment record. Rarely will a loose bracket or band cause discomfort. If you do experience discomfort that you cannot address with the temporary solutions on your blue card, we can schedule a short visit to make you comfortable. As previously discussed, any kind of repair (re-gluing, re-cementing or archwire replacement) will be prioritized and worked into subsequent visits. (Not necessarily at the next visit if some other procedure is more of a priority).

What? . . . Small doughnut-shaped modules or springs placed between your teeth.

Why? . .  .To create space between your teeth so the bands can be accurately placed.

And? . .  .Your teeth will be very sensitive, but the soreness will go away in a few a days.

So? . . . to relieve any soreness rinse your mouth with hot salt water and/or take two Tylenol.

DOS AND DONT'S:

DO - Brush all your teeth. Electronic or Sonic toothbrushes, irrigators and water picks are okay to use.

DON'T - Chew gum or anything sticky, pick or pull on the spacers, floss the areas where a spacer is placed (flossing in other areas is okay).

My Doctor gave my dentist a referral to another specialist for tooth removal or an evaluation of my gums, joints, or roots, etc?:

To keep your treatment progressing, please follow through with any requests for multi-disciplinary care in a timely manner. Please call the office you were referred to, to make an appointment. They will let you know if there are any special instructions for you or for us, such as removing wires or brackets. They will also be able to explain and estimate their fees. Professional and lab fees for services outside of this office are separate and not covered by your orthodontic fee or your orthodontic insurance benefit.

Just let us know. We are often able to duplicate homecare kits, elastics, headgear, expander keys and office documents so that all parties concerned may have them available.