For more information on orthodontics and braces in the Fort Worth, Arlington, and Burleson areas, contact our practice today.
Caring for Braces – Advice from Our Fort Worth, Arlington, and Burleson Orthodontists
You can make the most of your orthodontic care by following simple guidelines for caring for your braces. At our Fort Worth, Arlington, and Burleson orthodontic offices, we offer our patients incentives such as our "Orthobucks" program, which encourages them to take good care of their braces. Please feel free to contact our orthodontic office for more information.
How to Care for Your Braces and Oral Health
Proper care throughout treatment will help ensure excellent and timely results. Watch our instructional video on brushing and flossing with braces!
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Oral Hygiene
- Brushing – You should brush with fluoride toothpaste three times a day. You can also use a fluoride rinse (such as PreviDent®). Make sure to brush above, below, and around each bracket and behind the teeth.
- Flossing – Flossing is important because it removes bits of food and plaque that brushing can’t reach to keep your gums healthy and prevent tooth decay. Be sure to floss between each tooth under the archwire. Specialized brush tips are available at your local drugstore.
- Routine Dental Visits – We recommend that you schedule regular visits with your general dentist, every six months, for an oral examination and cleaning while you are wearing braces. Contact our Fort Worth, Arlington, or Burleson office if you need more information on oral hygiene practices to make the most of your orthodontic treatment.
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Foods to Avoid
Certain foods can cause damage to your braces. We recommend not biting into anything with your front teeth; instead, cut it up and chew with your back teeth. Always avoid hard, crunchy and chewy foods, including:
- Bubble gum (sugarless stick gum is okay to eat)
- Chewy candy (e.g., Fruit Roll-Ups®, caramel, caramel apples, licorice, jelly beans, and Starburst®, Now and Later®, and Tootsie Roll® candy)
- Hard candy, candy bars with caramel or nuts (e.g., peanut M&M’s®)
- Frozen ice cream, frozen candy bars, hard-packed snow cones
- Nachos and hard tacos (e.g., Doritos®, corn chips, tostados)
- Corn on the cob (cut the corn off the cob)
- Pickles, unless sliced or cut into spears
- Chicken and ribs, unless meat is first removed from the bones
- Ice
In addition, please avoid habits such as thumb sucking, nail biting, and chewing on pens.
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Emergencies
Even if you are careful, it is possible for an occasional bracket to break, or a wire to start poking your mouth. If this should happen, please contact our Fort Worth, Arlington, or Burleson location to schedule a repair if needed.
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Contact the Offices of Dr. Sheila Birth and Dr. Charles Stewart
Even with the best care, a bracket or wire might slip from time to time. For any problem with your braces, contact our orthodontic office in Fort Worth, Arlington, or Burleson today to schedule a repair.
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5407 Basswood Blvd., Ste #107
Fort Worth, Texas 76137
Phone 817-348-0910
Map and Directions
2011 W. Bardin Rd.
Arlington, Texas 76017
Phone 817-557-0025
Metro 817-467-5877
Map and Directions
109 W. Renfro St.
Burleson, TX 76028
817-546-0770
Map and Directions
1105 Santa Fe Drive Suite 101
Weatherford,TX 76086
817-341-2777
Map and Directions