Home Care
With concerns surrounding coronavirus and in response to the latest restrictions from the Australian Government, there are some limitations in the number and type of procedures we are able to do.
Therefore, it is important to keep everything on track, ensuring that both your treatment and health of your teeth are maintained. Remember, you are also a partner in the process and your oral health care doesn’t end between visits.
We realise that when daily routines have changed, and it is easy to stop doing the things you need. It is important that you take especially good care or your teeth and orthodontic appliances at this time to avoid having problems in the future.
These are just a few steps you can take to help keep things on track with your orthodontic treatment. A little extra effort on your end now will certainly pay off when you get back in to see us.
What you need at home
You are likely to have all the supplies you need already. The following items will help you look after your teeth and appliances properly and form a first aid kit if needed.
Toothbrushes and interdental brushes—to ensure that your teeth can be kept as clean as possible, so you don’t get tooth decay or gum disease.
Clean tweezers, cotton buds (or fingernail)—used to tuck in a wire that is sticking out
Warm salty water mouthwashes—to help your gums and cheeks heal if you have had rubbing that has caused ulceration, using a teaspoon of salt in half a cup of warm water.
Orthodontic wax or sugarless chewing gum (such as Extra)—to cover any part of your appliance that is irritating you and can’t be tucked in.
Small nail clippers—to trim a wire that can’t be tucked in and still causes a problem after you have covered the irritating part with wax or chewing gum. You must contact us straightaway if you decide to cut your wires.
A mobile phone—so you can take regular photos of your teeth.
Cheek retractors—to keep your lips and cheeks away from your teeth to help you take better photos.
If you were not given a set of cheek retractors at your last appointment, you can use two spoons to separate your lips and cheeks from your teeth.
We have set up an email address care@freezerorthodontics.com.au especially for you to contact us, should you have questions or concerns about your teeth or treatment. To help us answer any questions you have, we ask that this new email address only be used for treatment related enquires.
Keep your teeth clean
If you have any type of orthodontic appliance, such as braces, clear aligners, fixed or removable plates or are wearing retainers, keeping your teeth clean is important. When daily routines are changed, it is easy to forget to do the things that we would normally do each day, but if you forget to clean your teeth properly you are more likely to get gum disease and tooth decay.
Brushing your teeth, three times a day, timed for five minutes with a little water, toothpaste and your toothbrush will go a long way. Make sure to do all the surfaces of your front and back teeth, including the biting surfaces of your teeth and those next to your tongue – not just where your braces are.
Push firmly enough to get your toothbrush past your braces and into your teeth and gums. Pay attention to the areas where your teeth and gums meet.
Change to a new toothbrush as soon as the toothbrush you are using no longer has straight even bristles and starts to look worn out or is more than a month old.
If your gums become red, sore and puffy then you need to slow down and clean these areas more – do not avoid them. The areas most missed are:
Bottom front teeth, where you need to open your mouth slightly and pull your bottom lip away from your teeth, so you can clean these teeth and your braces more easily.
The very back of your mouth, ensure that both your top and bottom back teeth are cleaned thoroughly.
We would prefer that you use a manual toothbrush morning and night and if you do use an electric toothbrush, then that can be used for the after lunchtime toothbrushing.
Also remember to use the small interdental (Christmas tree) brushes to clean between your teeth and around your braces and look in the mirror to make sure you’ve cleaned thoroughly each and every time. These brushes are available at Woolworths and some chemists.
You should also rinse your mouth with water after drinking any fizzy soft drinks, fruit juice, flavoured milk or energy drinks. These all contain sugar, which leads to tooth decay.
Wear your elastics
Keep your orthodontic treatment on track by continuing to wear your elastics as we told you. If you are unsure about how your teeth are moving or biting together, take some photos and email them to us at care@freezerorthodontics.com.au so we can review your teeth and bite. We can then give you the best advice.
Things to watch out for are:*
Top teeth that start biting on top of, or behind, your bottom teeth
Your top and bottom teeth no longer bite together
Your top front teeth start to tip inwards
If you are running low on elastics, call us so we can come up with a plan to get you some more.
*If your treatment involves jaw surgery then your treatment goals will be different and you should call us with any questions about how you should be wearing your elastics and how your teeth should bite together.
Avoid hard and sweet foods and sugary drinks
Hard foods are more likely to bend your wires—causing your teeth to move in the wrong directions. They are also likely to break your brackets and wires, which will also cause more problems. At this time, it is especially important to handle your appliances with care.
Sweet or sticky foods and soft drinks (including energy drinks) will cause tooth decay and should be avoided. Drinking water or milk is best.
Contact us if you have any questions
We are still here for you. Please email us using our new care@freezerorthodontics.com.au email address. Don’t forget to include photos that will help us to help you.
If necessary, we will arrange video consultations to assist you through any future lock-down periods.