Dear Tollgate Family,
Your health and safety are top priority to all of us at Tollgate Orthodontics, and as such, we have closed our office for non-essential appointments per the request of the Rhode Island Department of Health. If you have an appointment scheduled during the time that we are closed, a team member will be contacting you to determine a new date and time for your appointment. As always, Dr. Eves is available for emergency appointments if you are in discomfort from your braces and need assistance. Thank you in advance for your patience; we understand that this is a difficult time for everyone.
Please see below for some helpful hints on keeping your braces in place and your teeth healthy while you are home. By following the hygiene and diet guidelines that were reviewed at the beginning of your treatment, you will minimize the need to be seen for an emergency appointment. In the case that discomfort with your braces does develop, here are some tips and tricks to take care of it at home. As always, Dr. Eves is available for emergency appointments if you are in discomfort from your braces and need assistance.
Sore teeth/discomfort with orthodontic treatment:
Right after you get your braces, and sometimes after you have an adjustment appointment, your teeth and mouth will feel sore. To alleviate the pain, you may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. You can also gargle lukewarm saltwater, which is a mixture of one teaspoon of salt dissolved in eight ounces of water. A warm wash cloth or a heating pad may also reduce the soreness in your jaws. Peroxyl Mouth Sore Rinse helps cleanse and promote healing of minor oral irritations, and is available in the mouthwash aisle of your pharmacy.
Wire irritation:
Wash your hands, and then try moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of wax. If the wire is painful, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol.
Loose bracket:
If you have a situation where the loose bracket is causing discomfort and you feel that you must cut the wire or slide a bracket off the wire, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. Cut the wire behind the last bracket in which it is secured.
Loose wire:
Wash your hands, and then try putting the wire back in place using tweezers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. If that does not work, try putting wax over the wire where it is poking you. If you have a situation where you must cut the wire, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. Cut the wire behind the last bracket in which it is secured.
Lost separator or bite pad:
Most patients lose a separator or a bite pad during their treatment. Do not worry about losing a separator or a bite pad.
How to maintain proper hygiene:
Maintaining a consistent and thorough oral hygiene routine is a crucial part of your orthodontic treatment. Stay on track with brushing and flossing to keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Here is more information on how to brush with braces.
As always, please avoid eating hard foods and sticky foods. Hard foods can break or damage the wires and brackets, and sticky foods can get caught between the wires and brackets. Here is a list of foods to avoid with braces.
Per request of the Rhode Island Department of Health, we will be rescheduling all appointments for the remainder of March, and into the beginning of April. If you have an appointment scheduled with our office during this time, a member of our team will contact you to determine a new date and time for your appointment.
Please call our office at 401-739-3900 if you have any questions. As always, Dr. Eves is available for emergency appointments if you are in discomfort from your braces and need assistance.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this rapidly changing situation. Wishing you all health and happiness.
Sincerely
Dr. Daniel Eves
Tollgate Orthodontics
401-739-3900