Orthodontic Patient Education Tips By Orthodontic Specialist

1. Orthodontic care Orthodontic Patient Education Tips By Orthodontic Specialist

2. Patient Education • Brushing and Flossing • Early Treatment • Eating with Braces • Orthodontic • Treatment Phases • In Case of Emergency When you visit Hiremath Orthodontics your smile is our top priority. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, quality orthodontic care that you deserve. With office locations in Watauga and Keller, Texas

3. Brushing and Flossing All orthodontic patients must get cleanings prior to getting braces and follow up cleanings every 3 to 6 months. Don’t forget to keep your smile healthy, white, and shiny!!! The best way to ensure a clean and healthy smile is by brushing you teeth and flossing your teeth. Food particles and plaque can accumulate on teeth and in-between braces, and over time cause the teeth to decay. The bacteria present in our mouth breakdown the sugars/carbohydrates into acids which demineralize the tooth structure, which in turn leads to cavity formation. In addition to causing cavities, these bacterial organisms promote gum disease and eventual loss of teeth. To avoid these problems during and after Orthodontic treatment, take special care of your teeth, gums and braces to ensure a beautiful smile and healthy mouth.

4. Brushing • Always use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a pea-sized amount of fluoride containing toothpaste. When you brush your teeth, move the brush in small, circular motions to reach food particles that may be under your gum line. Hold the toothbrush at an angle and brush slowly and carefully, covering all areas between teeth, between braces and the surface of each tooth. It will take you several minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Brush upwards for the lower teeth, downwards on the upper teeth and the outside, inside of each tooth and chewing surface of your front and back teeth. Also brush your gums, tongue and the roof of your mouth before you rinse. • Morning’s after breakfast • After lunch or right after school • After supper • At bedtime Especially during orthodontic treatment, brush your teeth after every meal to prevent the accumulation of food particles in between your teeth and braces You will need to replace your toothbrush more often due to your appliances. As soon as the bristles start to wear down or fray, replace your toothbrush with a new one. It may be difficult for your toothbrush to reach some areas under your archwire. Do not swallow any toothpaste; rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after you finish brushing. It is important to floss and use an antibacterial mouthwash and fluoride treatment throughout your orthodontic treatment and beyond for optimal oral hygiene.

5. Flossing For areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach, use dental floss to remove food particles and plaque. Flossing takes more time and patience when you are wearing braces, but it is important to floss your teeth every day. Use the reusable floss threader provided by our office to floss under your archwire daily (you can also find floss picks at your local grocery store and most pharmacy’s for convenience of flossing). Pull a small length of floss from the dispenser through the threader and slide it up and down along the front of each tooth.. Use care around your archwire and do not floss too forcefully around it or put too much pressure on it. After you floss between your archwire and braces, floss between your other teeth and gums. Floss at night to make sure your teeth are clean before you go to bed. When you first begin flossing around your braces, your gums may bleed a little. A water pick is like a pressure water sprayer for your teeth and gums. Water picks can also be found at your local grocery stores and most pharmacy’s. Water picks help cleans your teeth thoroughly and makes it a lot easier, and faster to get to hard to reach spots when used along with brushing. All while massaging your gums to help prevent and ease sore, swollen, and bleeding gums.

6. Early Treatment What are the benefits of early orthodontic evaluation? Early evaluation provides both timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment. Prudent intervention guides growth and development, preventing serious problems later. When orthodontic intervention is not necessary, an orthodontist can carefully monitor growth and development and begin treatment when it is ideal. When is the best time to begin orthodontics? Though an orthodontist can enhance a smile at any age, there is an optimal time period to begin treatment. Beginning treatment at this time ensures the greatest result and the least amount of time and expense. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial orthodontic evaluation should occur at the first sign of orthodontic problems or no later than age 7. At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but vigilant examination can anticipate the best time to begin treatment.

7. In Case of Emergency What To Do in Case of an Orthodontic Emergency? Most orthodontic concerns can wait until the office re-opens. However, in case of an emergency you can always reach us after hours. Please review the suggestions below. If you are still in need of after hour assistance, please call our office and you will be instructed on how to reach Dr.Hiremath or the on-call orthodontic clinician.

8. Eating with Braces What can you eat? Let's talk about what you shouldn't eat! If you've been wanting to drop a few pounds, the first week wearing braces is just your chance! For the first day or so, stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid: Regular bubble gum (sugar-free only) Licorice Sugar Daddies Toffee Tootsie Rolls Caramels Starburst Minimize Sugary Foods like: Cake Ice Cream Cookies Pie Candy Only Once a Day: Soda Sweetened tea Gatorade Kool-Aid Drinks with sugar

9. Orthodontic Treatment Phases Orthodontic Treatment Phases Orthodontic Treatment Phases Orthodontic treatment is highly predictable and immensely successful. Depending on the severity of the malocclusion (bad bite) or irregularity, orthodontic treatments may occur in either two or three distinct phases. There are many benefits of correcting misaligned teeth. Straight teeth are pleasing to look at and greatly boost confidence and self-esteem. More importantly, properly aligned teeth enhance the biting, chewing and speaking functions of the jaw. There are several types of irregularities, including: Overbite – The upper teeth protrude further than or completely cover the lower teeth. Underbite – The lower teeth protrude further than the upper teeth causing the chin to look prominent. Crossbite – Some of the upper teeth may close inside the lower teeth rather than on the outside. Overcrowding – Insufficient room on the arch causes some adult teeth to erupt incorrectly and become rotated.

10. Here is a general overview of the three major stages of treatment Phase 1– The Planning Stage Phase 2– The Active Phase Phase 3– The Active Phase • If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us today. We look forward to providing you with the personal care you deserve. • Sincerely, • Dr. Hiremath

11. For more information, please visit us online at www.hiremathortho.com Hiremath Orthodontics 151 Ridgepoint Parkway Suite 100Keller, Texas 762487748 Denton HwyWatauga, Texas 76148Phone: 214-293-0356