Monday, December 18, 2017

Loose Bands, Broken Brackets, Poking Wires...Oh My


We know even despite your best efforts, the wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact Spannhake Orthodontics as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance.  

In the interim, the following are helpful hints to remedy some of the problems you may encounter until you can be seen in our office. 

  • Poking Wire: If a tie wire is irritating your mouth, cover it with orthodontic wax or tuck it under the archwire using a blunt object like a pencil eraser or a Q-Tip. 
  • Loose Bracket: A loose band or bracket can generally be left in place until seen in our office. Call the office as soon as you notice a loose band or bracket so we can schedule you to be seen to reattach the loose appliance. 
  • Broken Archwire: A broken archwire, or one that is irritating the gum or cheek tissue, needs to be seen as soon as possible for replacement or adjustment. 
  • Bent Appliance: A bent headgear facebow, or removable appliance that is not fitting well, is not to be worn until it can be properly adjusted in our office. Call the office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to have the facebow or removable appliance adjusted. 
  • Soreness: Several days of soreness and sensitivity are common following an office visit. If you are experiencing abnormal pain or discomfort please contact our office. 

Don't hesitate to reach out to us at (410) 321-5004 in our Towson office or at (410) 857-4700 in our Westminster office immediately if you experience any issue with your braces. 

Our office is generally open Monday through Thursday with occasional Fridays. Should you have an emergency after hours or on the weekends, the office recording will give you instructions and provide you with a number to call.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Bad Breath & Braces


After getting braces, new patients may develop bad breath from not cleaning their teeth properly. 

Simply doing a quick job brushing your teeth is not enough to keep bad breath at bay, especially when you wear braces. Bacteria feeds on food particles leftover after you eat, and this bacteria creates an unpleasant odor. 

We understand that bad breath can be an uncomfortable thing to talk about, but it happens to the best of us. The important thing to do if you’re experiencing bad breath is to determine the root of the problem. The most common factor for bad breath is almost always caused by poor oral hygiene.   

It's important to brush immediately after every meal or snack or at least rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash if you aren’t able to brush. Bad breath-causing odors and bacteria can also cling to removable appliances (like a retainer or clear aligners), so be sure to remove them before eating, even if you're only having a snack. 

If you need a few pointers on how to keep your Spannhake Orthodontics smile looking it's very best, ask us at your next appointment! We're here to help!