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bracket | Wayne Family Orthodontics

What to Do If Your Braces Are Hurting Your Smile

By | Braces | No Comments

If you are having trouble with your braces because they’re hurting your lips, cheeks, and gums, take heart. Orthodontic wax is here to help make your braces-wearing more comfortable. Orthodontic wax can cover the troublesome spots of your appliance and give you the relief you’re looking for. To help you properly place the wax, your orthodontist, Dr. Muhammad Abey, encourages you to follow these instructions:

Wash your hands: Make sure to wash your hands before you place the wax. You don’t want to introduce any bacteria to your mouth, especially if you have a cut or sore.

Brush your teeth: Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. This will help clean the area so you don’t trap any food particles or plaque under the wax and promote tooth decay and gum disease. This will also help keep the wax cleaner. If anything, remove the food that is stuck in the area where you plan to apply the wax.

Shape the wax: Take a small amount of wax—about the size of the area you’re going to cover—and roll it into a small ball. Roll the wax for at least five seconds. The warmth of your fingers will soften the wax and make it easier to place. Be careful not to use too much wax. Using too much can make the wax fall off.

Place the wax: Locate the sore areas of your mouth. Then, use your thumb and forefinger to press the ball of wax over the bracket or wire. Rub it back and forth a couple times to make it stick into place. The wax should stick out of your braces a little bit, forming a small lump.

Wearing braces doesn’t have to hurt if you know what to do. For more information and details about orthodontic wax in Wayne, New Jersey, please feel free to call Wayne Family Orthodontics at your earliest convenience. All you need to do is dial 973-341-3180 and our orthodontic team will be thrilled to help you!

Braces Glossary: Helping You Better Understand Orthodontics

By | Orthodontics | No Comments

Braces are great appliances that can successfully shift and transform your smile, but sometimes they can also be a bit confusing. The best way to clear up the confusion is by learning more about the appliance. So, to help you do so, we have provided the definitions to the following orthodontic terms:

Band – A band is a metal ring that is wrapped tightly around your back molars. It is meant to support your large teeth and to keep them in tip-top shape. We don’t want them to ever crack or break. A band can also assist with headgear and bite correctors.

Bracket – A bracket is a small, square piece of your appliance that is glued to the front surface of every tooth in your smile. The piece is made of metal and it holds the orthodontic wire in place. It also applies pressure to your teeth and shifts and moves them into the positions they need to be in.

Retainer – A retainer is a removable or permanent appliance that keeps your teeth in position after your braces have moved them. A permanent retainer is typically a metal wire that is glued to the back surfaces of your teeth. A removable retainer is a small appliance that can fit over your smile. You generally wear the appliance at night while you sleep. A retainer can also be used for minimal tooth movement.

Adjustment – An adjustment is an appointment that allows your orthodontist to tighten the wires on your appliance to continue shifting your teeth. Your teeth may be a bit sore for a few days after the adjustment, but that just means that your appliance is doing its job by moving your chompers into place.

Orthodontist – An orthodontist is a dentist that specializes in orthodontics. In order to specialize, the orthodontist needs to attend and receive 2-3 additional years of schooling and training. After they complete the program, they are certified orthodontists.

Now that you know more about braces and orthodontics, you are set! If you have any additional questions, please remember that you can always call Wayne Family Orthodontics at 973-341-3180 and talk to our team. You can also talk to Dr. Muhammad Abey at any of your appointments. We are happy to help you!