YOUR SMILE has never looked brighter!

Wether you are excited to show off your smile during orthodontics or prefer a less visible treatment option, we want you to have an EPIC experience in every interaction with our office!  Outside your visits, we hope that your treatment will be minimally disruptive to your daily routine and life.  You should be aware that your treatment may involve some "minor inconveniences" though.  Here is some information that will allow you to be in the drivers seat as far as common problems that could occur during orthodontic treatment:

Good news, you can probably continue to have MOST of your favorite foods during orthodontic treatment!

You should expect some mild discomfort the day your braces or aligners are placed. A few suggestions during that time include yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, baked chicken and pasta.  As you become more comfortable, continue adding your normal foods into your diet. If you're not sure about a specific food, just call or text us!

Be aware that some foods may break or bend orthodontic appliances and can prolong treatment and affect your desired result...

• Chewy foods — things like jerky, steak, bagels & sub sandwiches should be cut into smaller pieces to avoid pulling wires out of the back braces
• Crunchy foods — thick chips like Doritos and ice shoud be avoided
• Sticky foods — Sour Patch type candy, caramel, chewing gum can bend or break wires
• Hard foods — nuts, sunflower seeds, and popcorn with kernels should also be avoided. Cut up apples, celery, carrots, etc into small pieces prior to eating
• Juice & Soda - minimize consumption of sugary, carbonated drinks & high-sugar soda as they can cause "decalcifiation" (chalky white stains) on the surface of the teeth around braces

We recommend avoiding the following items with Aligners & Clear Retainers:

Avoid anything other than water with your aligners in place.  Eating or drinking with aligners in can cause the aligner to hold food and beverage residue between the aligner and teeth, causing cavities to develop at a rapid pace.  A major benefit of aligners is that they can be removed for eating and drinking but the teeth should always be brushed prior to putting them back in.

Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances

When you first get your braces or clear aligners, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).

If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever, like Tylenol or Ibuprofen. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. You should have received some orthodontic wax in your care package if you have braces, you can use that by gently removing a small pea-size amount, rolling it between your fingers to soften it, try to get the offending brace as dry as possible & push it around it.  You can remove and replace the wax as needed throughout your treatment.

Loose Teeth

If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don't worry; this is normal! Your braces or aligners must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose. 

Loose Wires and Bands

The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please call or text us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.  We don't typically consider this an "emergency" however want you to call so we can be prepared for your upcoming visit!

If you break or lose an aligner, you can try to advance to the next aligner.  If that does not fit, please go back to the prior aligner and call or text the office so we can reorder a replacement.

Take Care of Your Appliances

Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, aligners or other appliances recommended by Dr. Potocki. Call or text the office if something appears loose or broken.

Playing Sports during Orthodontic Treatment

Game, Set, Match — we have great news for athletes! You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it's recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your braces. Let your doctor know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.  Your coach may allow you to wear your clear aligners as a mouthguard for sports if you have clear aligners.  The one thing you will not be able to use is a boil mouthguard as it will not allow your teeth to progress in movement.

In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.