Patient Tips

Item Recommendations from Smile Style NY!

Featuring a handpicked selection of useful common orthodontic tools to help you maintain excellent oral hygiene at home! These essential supplies are here to support you on your journey to a captivating smile. Click the button below, access Dr. Sharon Eder’s list of recommended items, and add them to your Amazon cart!
Ortho Needs

Aligner Protocols

Ensuring the success of your orthodontic journey lies in faithfully following the aligner protocol. This specially tailored plan, crafted by your orthodontist, works its magic gradually and safely to guide your teeth into their desired positions. By wearing your aligners diligently as instructed and sticking to the prescribed schedule, you unlock the potential for a straighter, more radiant smile.

• Wear Your Aligners Daily
  Wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours every day is crucial to ensure the success of your orthodontic journey. Consistency in wearing them allows the aligners to work their magic, gently shifting your teeth into their desired positions. By following this guideline diligently, you maximize the chances of achieving a straighter, more beautiful smile.
• Use Chewies for a Snug Fit
  “CHEWIES” play a key role in ensuring your aligners fit perfectly around your teeth. They are small, soft, and pliable cylindrical cushions you insert between your teeth and aligners during placement. With a snug fit, the aligners can work effectively, expediting your progress towards the smile you’ve always desired.
• Keep Aligners Safe in a Case
  Storing your aligners in their case when not in use is vital for their protection. This practice safeguards them from accidental damage or being misplaced. By keeping them safe and sound, you maintain the integrity of your aligners, allowing them to continue their transformative work without any disruptions.
• Preserve Finished Aligners
  Retaining your finished aligners serves as an insurance policy for your orthodontic journey. If, for any reason, you lose or damage your current aligner, you can revert to the previous one while waiting for a replacement. This ensures that your progress is not stalled and that you stay on track towards achieving your desired smile.
• Remove Aligners for Drinking
  Taking out your aligners before drinking, especially hot beverages, prevents any distortion or damage to the aligners. Additionally, avoiding sugary drinks while wearing them minimizes the risk of cavities and maintains the aligners’ cleanliness. Opting for cold to lukewarm water ensures your aligners remain in perfect condition while delivering the desired results.
• Clean with Retainer Brite
  Properly cleaning your aligners with retainer brite or over-the-counter denture cleansers maintains their sparkling appearance and hygiene. Avoiding hot water when cleaning ensures the aligners remain in their original shape, preserving their effectiveness throughout your orthodontic journey.
• Expect Some Discomfort
  Experiencing mild tooth soreness is entirely normal during orthodontic treatment. It indicates that your teeth are shifting, and progress is being made. While this discomfort is temporary, using over-the-counter pain medication can provide relief, ensuring you stay comfortable on your enchanting journey to a captivating smile.
• Get Our Support
  We’re here to support you every step of the way! If you encounter any issues with your aligners, such as misplacement, breakage, or tears, don’t hesitate to contact us. By promptly notifying us, we can provide the necessary assistance and ensure your orthodontic experience continues smoothly, avoiding any unnecessary delays or additional charges.
• Chewies and Retainer Brite Available
  For your convenience, we offer chewies and “Retainer Brite” at our office. Access to these essential items ensures you have the tools you need to maintain your aligners and keep your orthodontic journey enchanting and hassle-free.

Orthodontic Food List

As you set forth on your orthodontic journey towards a radiant, confident smile, we want to guide you through some dietary adjustments that will support your progress. Braces or aligners work their magic to realign your teeth, and in this enchanting process, certain foods may need to take a temporary leave from your plate.

Being cautious with what you eat or drink during treatment ensures the integrity of your orthodontic appliances, safeguarding your smile’s transformation. While it may involve a slight shift in your eating habits, the delightful reward of a beautifully aligned smile will undoubtedly make every adjustment well worth the effort.

EATING HABITS THAT MUST STOP!

Popcorn

Caramel

Caramel apples

All Sticky Candy including Toffee, Now & Laters, Sugar Daddys, Sugar Babies, Skittles, Starburst, Gummy bears, Gummy worms, and Fruit roll-ups.

All Nuts including Sunflower seeds, Pecans, Peanuts, Cashews, Walnuts Corn nuts.

All Hard Candy including Jolly Ranchers, Lifesavers, Peppermints, Lollipops

Ice

Pizza crust edges

Bagels

Beef jerky

DO NOT suck on Lemons or Limes (harmful to tooth enamel)

DO NOT chew on pens, pencils, straws, or fingernails

DO NOT open water bottles with your teeth

EATING HABITS THAT MUST YIELD!

Whole crispy fruits & vegetables (cut fruit and vegetable into small bite-size pieces)

Hard, crusty bread (tear into small bite-size pieces) Corn chips and potato chips (break into bite-size pieces)

Fresh corn on the cob (cut corn from the cob to eat) Sugary drinks or sodas (limit to special occasions only) Meat on the bone: chicken wings, ribs (cut the meat off the bone into small pieces)

 GUM NOT allowed.

EATING WITH BRACES AND ALIGNERS TIPS

Be cautious with food choices to protect your braces.

Avoid hard and sticky foods that could damage wires and loosen cement.

Minimize consumption of foods high in sugar content.

If eating sugary treats, have them at the end of a meal, and brush teeth immediately afterward.

Rinse your mouth with water after consuming sweets if brushing is not possible.

Remember, DAMAGE TO BRACES MAY LENGTHEN TREATMENT TIME, so handle them with care for a swift path to your radiant smile!

For sports participants, inquire about an orthodontic mouth guard for extra protection.

In case of any accidents involving the face, check your mouth and braces for any looseness or damage.

If any appliances are loosened or damaged, promptly contact our office for assistance.

TALK TO US

As you pursue a straighter smile and more functional bite, remember to follow the guidelines diligently to safeguard your braces and ensure a swift and successful transformation. Dr. Sharon Eder, our esteemed emergency orthodontist, is here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you need advice on food choices, assistance with orthodontic emergencies, or anything in between, Dr. Eder and our team are ready to support you on this path. Reach out to us at (914) 666-8997.