Fixed braces after care information

Fixed Braces

To ensure the success of your orthodontic treatment, please read the following carefully.

What to expect after having your fixed braces fitted?

It will take some time to get used to your new brace and during the first few days you may experience some discomfort. If necessary, please take some painkillers, (the usual ones you would take for a headache), over the first few days and on a regular basis. The discomfort will ease off over time. When the brace is adjusted you may find the discomfort returns. You may find it therefore helpful to take a painkiller, an hour before your appointment, and regularly over the following few days.

If you find that the brace rubs your cheeks or lips please use the wax as instructed, to help cover any rough edges of the brace, to alleviate any soreness. Apply the wax early, i.e. before your soft tissues get sore, otherwise ulcers may develop if you leave it too late!

Remove the wax prior to eating so if it falls off it doesn’t mix up with your food. Ideally clean your teeth, or at least rinse with water, prior to re-applying the wax after eating.

If you run out of wax please inform your orthodontist during your appointments. In between appointments please inform our receptionist who will be happy to give you some more.

How do I clean around the fixed brace?

A high standard of cleaning is always needed, but it is even more important when undergoing orthodontic treatment because your teeth are more prone to tooth decay.

Brushing should be carried out at least 3 times a day; after breakfast, lunch and dinner. Use either an electric or a manual toothbrush, and brush for at least 2 minutes, using a timer (e.g. mobile phone, clock, egg timer). Brush in front of a mirror to help you focus on brushing systematically and thoroughly. Also concentrate on the gum margins as this is where most of the food collects and don’t forget the teeth which may not have brackets attached to them.

After you have brushed and rinsed please use your TePe interdental brushes, behind the wires in between the brackets, as instructed. Rinse the TePes under running water whilst cleaning, and clean in front of a mirror, so you see that you are going around systematically and using the right size (colour) for the particular area. You will need to use multiple sizes as each area is different in size. Using a TePe too small for area is ineffective and one that is too big will increase the risk of damaging the brace on removing the TePe.

Please use a Fluoride mouthrinse every day during your course of orthodontic treatment, but try to leave it at least 30 minutes after brushing to get the full benefits of the Fluoride. If rinsing every night do not drink or eat anything after rinsing.

Please also brush before you attend your dental or orthodontic appointments.

If you are coming straight from work, school or college, and do not have time to do so beforehand, please bring your dental hygiene pack and you are welcome to use the washroom at our practice to clean your teeth and brace whilst waiting to be seen.

What food and drink should I avoid?

Please be sensible with your diet and try to reduce your amount of acid and sugar intake during your orthodontic treatment. Here are some tips:

• Avoid fizzy drinks (including diet/sugar free as they are still acidic).
• Avoid fruit juice and try to eat whole fruit instead.
• Avoid energy drinks, hot chocolate, smoothies, milkshakes (sticky and sweet).
• Avoid sweets, chocolate, biscuits, cakes (save for an occasional treat!).
• Avoid food with strong colourings e.g. curries (may discolour elastic parts of brace).
• Do drink & rinse with lots of water and look online for ideas of recipes and food tips!
• Avoid poppy, sesame seeds and stringy food (e.g. spinach, some meat)

How can I avoid breaking my fixed brace?

Please be sensible and consider what pressure you are placing on your brace on a daily basis. Here are some tips:

• Avoid habits e.g. biting your nails, chewing on pens, opening bottles with your teeth, or fiddling with your brace.
• Avoid hard, chewy, sticky, tough foods e.g. nuts, crusty bread or toast, pizza crusts, hard or sticky sweets, toffees, caramel, hard ice cream, granola, cereal bars, hard crisps, crackers, crunchy roast vegetables, hard fruit and vegetables*.
• Wear a gum shield for any activity where you may damage your teeth e.g. contact sports: rugby, hockey, martial arts, dangerous sports.

*Cut up your hard fruit and vegetables beforehand into thin pieces and use your back teeth to gently bite into it, rather than tear into it with your front teeth.

What do I do if I notice a breakage?

Shortly after having your braces fitted, look in a mirror to familiarise yourself with your brace, so that if a breakage occurs you know how to recognise it. If a breakage does occur, please contact our practice and we will advise you what to do. If the breakage is not causing you discomfort, and you are due to return for an appointment soon, then you may be advised to leave it until then. However, if you are experiencing discomfort, or if your orthodontist has advised you in advance to return, or you are not due to return for many weeks, then we will try our best to book you in as soon as we can.