Oral Hygiene

Perfect oral hygiene is essential during orthodontic treatment. You must brush your teeth at least two minutes after each meal and before going to bed. If it is occasionally impossible for you to use your toothbrush, use a mini brush (Proxabrush®) or rinse your mouth. You must also use dental floss once per day with a floss threader or use a type of floss with stiff ends (SuperFloss®). It is worth mentioning that an electric toothbrush, especially one made by Sonicare® or Oral-B®, can prove to be very useful for patients who have trouble brushing properly with a manual toothbrush.

Diet

In order to avoid damaging braces and other orthodontic appliances as well as to minimize the risk of developing cavities, it is important to follow these recommendations:

- Avoid sticky foods, such as gum and toffee
- Avoid very hard foods, such as ice cubes, hard candy and popcorn (risk of biting on hard kernels)
- Cut or slice crunchy foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables
- Remove kernels from corn on the cob and meat from spare ribs
- Limit your sugar intake and eat sweet foods and soft drinks in moderation
- Avoid biting your nails or any object

Broken Appliance or Discomfort

True emergencies are very rare in orthodontics. Most mishaps that can happen in a treatment are relatively minor inconveniences like discomfort or a broken appliance. The procedure to follow in these cases is to contact us and inform us of the situation. In the case of any breakage or loosening, even if it does not cause any sensitivity, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can decide if an immediate appointment is required to make the repair or if it can wait until your next visit. If you are experiencing any discomfort, we will see you as soon as possible to address the problem.

What should I do if my braces are chafing the inside of my mouth?

At the beginning of orthodontic treatment, minor chafing of the inside of the cheeks and/or lips can occur. This usually disappears quickly, but in the meantime, orthodontic wax can be used to improve your comfort. However, in the case of major chafing associated with an orthodontic wire poking at the back of your mouth, please contact us so that we can schedule a short visit to adjust the wire. You can temporarily cover the poking end of the wire and the adjacent bracket with a ball of wax.

What should I do if my teeth are sensitive in the days following an appointment?

It is normal for teeth to be sensitive in the first few days after braces (or any other type of orthodontic appliance) have been put on or after an adjustment. That period of discomfort usually lasts only for a few days. To minimize sensitivity at that time, you can eat softer foods and use painkillers (the type of painkiller you normally use for headaches). If you are still experiencing a lot of sensitivity after a week, call us and we will see what can be done to make you more comfortable.

What should I do if a bracket has come off?

If a bracket falls off or slides along the orthodontic wire, that means that it is not bonded to the tooth anymore. It is necessary to contact us as soon as possible so that we can decide if it is necessary to schedule a visit to bond the bracket back on the tooth. Please bring us the bracket and any other broken part at your next appointment.

What should I do if I have lost or broken my removable appliance or retainer?

Please call us without delay to schedule an appointment to repair or replace the appliance (fees may apply).

What should I do if the clinic is closed?

If our clinic is closed when minor discomfort or appliance breakage occurs, please leave us a message on our voicemail and we will call you back as soon as we return. If you are experiencing major discomfort, you can contact your family dentist so that he or she can see you in order to relieve you (without making any repair, however). If your dentist is away, you can call a dental emergency service (be aware that fees will apply when you use such a service). You can reach the Laval Dental Emergency service by dialing 450-669-9999.

back to top

DR. OLIVIER QUINTIN   |   ORTHODONTIST

Privacy Policy

Website by Expertmontréal  2023