1. Will my teeth hurt after an archwire change? Can I take an Advil? There may be some tenderness after an archwire change but this should disappear after a couple of days. An Advil (ibuprofen) or two may be taken every four hours while tenderness continues.

2. Will I speak funny? When you first get your appliance you may need to practice speaking until you get used to it, but once you have had some time wearing it, things will become much easier.

3. Do I always have to bring my book to my appointments? Yes, it is very important to remember to bring your book to each and every appointment. It helps us to know how you are doing with your appliance.

4. Do I always have to carry my case? Yes, you should always have your case with you, so if you need to have your appliance out of your mouth you can keep it safe in your case.

5. Will I be able to play sports? Yes, there is no limitation on playing sports but there are some things to remember. The first is to always remove your appliance and put it in its case. This way it won't get knocked out of your mouth and damaged. The second, even if you have brackets, is you should always wear a sports mouthguard if you are playing contact sports.

6. What do I do if a wire gets bent, a bracket or band becomes loose or my appliance doesn't fit properly? Phone our office immediately! Broken or damaged appliances may increase the time and difficulty of treatment. It is important to contact us as soon as possible.

7. What should I do if a bracket or wire irritates my cheek or lip? You should use a small piece of wax (Dr. Ashton will give you some) to cover the bracket or wire. In a few days your mouth should be used to it and you can stop using the wax. If it is still irritating after that time please give us a call.

8. What should I do if I loose an elastic? Give us a call so we can have you come in and we can put it back on as soon as possible.

9. Can I bend or break anything just by brushing my teeth? No, with proper brushing and flossing there should be no problems.

10. Do I have to brush my teeth at school? Yes, it is important to remember to brush after every meal even lunch at school.

11. What do I do if I forget to turn my appliance? Skip that turning but be sure to turn it on the next scheduled day. If you for get to turn it and then try to make up for the missed turn, your teeth have not had long enough to move and may hurt if you try to turn it too soon.

12. If I have left my appliance out should I turn it? No, if you have to skip wearing it then skip turning it.

13. How long do I have to wear my appliance? This can vary. Dr. Ashton will let you know approximately how long when you begin treatment. The time can be extended by not wearing your appliance, forgetting to turn your appliance, a broken appliance, or missed appointments.

14. If I break or loose my appliance will I have to pay for a new one? Yes and No, if we are able to repair the appliance in our office there will not be an additional charge. If we have to replace or send the repair to an outside lab (the lab that made the appliance) then there will be a fee to cover the cost of the repair or new appliance.

15. Can I get insurance for my child's appliance? Yes, you can ask us. We will need to know before the case is sent to the lab so they can add the insurance when it is made.

16. Do I brush my teeth with the appliance in? No, the appliance should be taken out and your teeth brushed separately.

17. Is food supposed to slip under it? Yes, food does tend to get under the appliance that is why it is so important that you clean it after each and every meal and snack.

18. Do I have to brush it after I have a drink? It is a good idea to rinse it after you have a drink, especially if it has a lot of sugar in it like pop or fruit juice.

19. Will my speech be affected after I am finished with the appliance? Speech should return to normal or be improved after you finish wearing the appliance.