Poking Wires? Painful Braces? OrthoDots Can Help!

 

When you braces hurting your gums and wires poking into your cheeks, you want relief as soon as possible. Traditional dental wax can help, but it doesn't last very long in your mouth. Dental silicone lasts longer, but can be difficult to apply. Well, now there's another choice: new OrthoDots CLEAR! OrthoDots are thick individual dots of dental silicone combined with new moisture-activated technology. That's right, this dental silicone works when wet!

Unlike traditional dental silicone, your orthodontic braces brackets don’t need to be dry for OrthoDots to stick. Just push them firmly onto the braces brackets that are irritating your mouth. The moisture on your brackets activates the patented adhesive, holding the OrthoDots in place for hours (6 to 8 hours or more). You can even eat and drink with them on! Works for all types of braces: metal, ceramic, lingual (behind the teeth) and even Invisalign and Invisalign attachments. Protects the back of your cheeks from poking wires better than wax. Plus, they're made in the USA!

Unlike regular dental wax, OrthoDots won’t crumble off, and has superior holding power. Each OrthoDot is individually packaged, making it a more hygienic and portable alternative than regular dental wax or regular dental silicone. Don’t worry if you happen to swallow one -- OrthoDots are non-toxic.

Each box of OrthoDots comes in either a starter pack of 12 or a bulk pack of 48. Buy a few boxes to keep in your backpack, desk, car, or purse so that you'll never have to suffer from the irritation of orthodontic brackets. Makes a thoughtful gift for a loved one in orthodontic braces!

Getting Braces? This Book Will Help!

Thinking of getting braces and looking for orthodontic information? Orthodontist Douglas DePew, DMD, has written a great new book you might find very helpful. Change Your Smile, Change Your Life: Your Guide to Orthodontic Treatment explains the science and the art of orthodontics. Dr. Depew offers his unique insight into today's cutting-edge technology. He also details the best practices to ensure a successful treatment experience.

“With so many different technologies today, and so many providers to choose from, it’s important to find someone who will give you the level of care you deserve” says Depew, who has been in private practice in Kennesaw, Ga, since 1990. “My goal is to help clear the air and give you accurate information about orthodontics, some of the latest treatments available, and what you should look for when choosing a provider for you and your family.

Dr. DePew goes on to say, “Orthodontics is the science of moving teeth into their proper positions and changing the shape of the jaws so the upper and lower rows of teeth fit together properly. But there is so much more to orthodontics than just moving teeth. Much of what doctors and staff do also affects the facial profile, the shape of the face, the fullness of the lips, the ability to speak and swallow properly, even the ability to breathe effectively.”

The book clearly and simply explains how an orthodontist's training and experience make all the difference when they are choosing treatments for a patient’s unique situation.

Dr. Depew runs Atlanta Orthodontic Arts, a practice focusing on TMJ, sleep disorders, and aesthetic treatments and is also the founder and Academic Director of Trapezio, an online platform which provides formal training for orthodontic staff members. He is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the Southern Association of Orthodontists, the Georgia Association of Orthodontists, the American Lingual Orthodontic Association, the Spear Dental Study Club, and the Elite Lingual Orthodontic Society.

The book is available at Amazon.com.

Tips for Taking Care of New Dental Braces

The first weeks of orthodontic braces can be exciting, frustrating, and sometimes painful. Even if you try your hardest to do the right thing, braces can cause soreness to your mouth.

As your teeth begin to move, it's normal for your teeth to ache and for your jaw to feel sore to some extent. You might get canker sores when the brackets rub the insides of your lips and cheeks. Fortunately, there are many over-the-counter treatments available to reduce the pain and irritation from braces. Some of these include Rincinol PRN, ComfortBrace Strips, OraChill, and OrthoDots. In a pinch, good 'ol dental wax also helps.

Some of the common problems that can occur when you have braces include: 

Bracket Comes Loose: To fix this problem, apply a small bit of orthodontic wax to the bracket. You might also want to apply a little between the braces and the soft tissue of your mouth. Call your orthodontist to have the bracket replaced at your earliest convenience. 

Bands Come Loose: This is a more serious problem, which your orthodontist needs to fix. Try to save the band for repair, if you can.

Protruding or Broken Wires: Poking wires are very common. You can use an eraser from the end of a pencil to move the wire to a less painful spot. If you are unable to move it, apply orthodontic wax or OrthoDots to the tip. A poking wire can sometimes tear up the insides of your cheeks and may get infected. To prevent this, rinse your mouth with warm salt water or antiseptic rinse. Call your orthodontist -- most of the time, you can just drop in to get the wire clipped, without an appointment. 

Loose spacers: Most people only wear spacers for one week to 10 days. They're not comfortable, but they're necessary to make room for orthodontic bands. If a spacer comes loose, call your orthodontist, because they will need to be repositioned or replaced. 

Avoid Problem Foods: It will be difficult to bite foods like hamburgers or burritos with your front teeth. It's better to to cut your food into small pieces and chew slowly and carefully. Avoid hard and chewy foods that can break your hardware, stringy foods that can get caught in your braces, and sharp foods like tortilla chips. Take corn off the cob. Avoid nuts, hard carrots, biting into apples, chewing on ice, and bubble gum.

With a little patience, the first weeks in braces will fly by. In time, your braces won't hurt as much. But after each adjustment, you could develop some soreness and new canker sores. Just repeat the steps that you took previously, and you'll feel better in no time.