Initial Placement

The braces will feel rough to the inside of your cheeks for the first couple of weeks, but after this initial adjustment you won't notice them as much.

Your teeth will also be sore and you may notice more saliva in your mouth for the first few days while you get used to the braces. Eat soft foods until the soreness subsides.

Sore Cheeks or Gums

• Place the wax we provided you with over the offending bracket or band.*
  
• Use warm, saltwater rinses four times daily to encourage the irritated tissue to heal (one-half teaspoon of salt to a full glass of warm water; swish and spit entire glassful).
  
• At your next appointment, advise us of the sore spot. If you cannot wait until then, please call us for an emergency appointment.

Loose Bracket or Band

• Call us for an appointment as soon as possible.
  
• If you are away from the area, have an orthodontist or dentist remove the band or bracket and bring it with you to your next appointment, but please advise us in advance so that we may schedule adequate time to reapply the appliance.
  
• Discontinue wearing any rubber bands and/or headgear until we see you.

Broken Wire

• Call us immediately for an emergency appointment.
  
• Place wax over the poking wire and discontinue wearing any rubber bands and/or headgear until that appointment.

*To identify, see reverse side of blue, laminated card “Flossing and Brushing with Braces.”

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