Wear & Care Advice

Wear & Care Advice

Wear and care instructions for fixed appliances

1. Some discomfort is normal within the first few weeks of your brace being fitted, but the mouth will get used to the brace over time. Your usual pain relief may be required following the fitting of your fixed brace. (Always follow the recommended dose marked on the packet).
2. Regular effective cleaning is ESSENTIAL with fixed appliances. We advise that you brush your teeth twice a day for at least 3 minutes using a small headed medium bristle manual toothbrush. A timer will be useful to ensure enough time is being spent. Do not brush your teeth for at least half an hour following eating a meal. It is recommended that you change your toothbrush every 2-3 months. If you have an electric toothbrush please bring it to your first adjust appointment and we can then show you the correct technique.
3. It is VITAL that you brush your gums as well as your teeth. Particular attention must be paid using 'TePe' brushes under the wires and around each metal square (a nurse will demonstrate this to you on a model). Check in a mirror whilst brushing to make sure no areas are missed. The use of disclosing tablets are recommended throughout treatment, especially during the first few weeks.
4. After you have brushed your teeth at night it is important that you use a FLUORIDE mouthwash. You will need to rinse for one minute and then avoid anything to eat or drink. This will help protect the enamel on your teeth.
5. Try to avoid sugary snacks and drinks between meals. Too much sugar may lead to permanent damage and staining of your teeth. Fizzy drinks and pure fruit juices should be limited and drunk through a straw.
6. Avoid hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy foods (i.e chewing gum, baguettes, and toffees) as they will damage your brace and delay completion of your treatment. It is also important to avoid nail biting, fiddling with your brace and to keep things such as pens out of the mouth. Frequent breakages will lead us to discontinue your treatment.
7. If your brace rubs or causes ulcers on your cheeks, use wax (available to purchase at reception). Drying the area is the best way to get the wax to stick. Roll the wax into a ball with your fingers and mould it around the bracket or wire that is rubbing.
8. If wires become long or come out of the back bracket, please contact the practice for an appointment for them to be trimmed or repositioned. Also if a bracket becomes detached from a tooth please keep it and phone the practice for an appointment to have it reattached.
9. Failure to attend regular appointments will delay your treatment. Please contact the practice ASAP if you need to change or cancel an appointment.
10. Please continue your regular check ups with your own dentist.
11. If you have any problems or questions about your fixed brace please contact the practice.

Retainers

Why do I need retainers?

Your retainers are a very important stage of your treatment. As we grow, our bodies change; this may affect the position of your teeth. Your retainers will minimise the risk of your teeth moving from their current position. It is YOUR responsibility to look after your retainers and to wear them exactly as instructed.

When do I wear my retainers?

• Your retainers must be worn EVERY NIGHT for AT LEAST 8 - 10 hours, unless otherwise instructed by the clinician/orthodontic nurse.
• They are a long term commitment and we will never tell you to stop wearing them; remember teeth ALWAYS have the potential to move.
• Everyone’s teeth are different and some people’s have more potential to move than others. If your retainers start to feel tight it’s because your teeth are moving; increase the wear until your retainers feel comfortable again.
• We will see you in 12 months to monitor your retainer wear and check you are still happy with the fit of your retainers. You must bring your retainers to this appointment.
• If you do not wear your retainers as instructed it is very likely that your teeth will move, which will result in your retainers no longer fitting. If this happens contact the practice straight away.

How do I look after my retainers?

• Your retainers must be taken out to eat or drink, and to clean.
• Clean your retainers in COLD water and/or ‘Retainer Brite’ tablets, which are available to buy on reception. NEVER use hot water or toothpaste.
• Always clean your teeth before putting your retainers in.
• Store in a sealed container with water when retainers are out of your mouth, so they don’t dry out and crack.
• If you lose, damage, break your retainers, or they do not fit anymore, you will need to pay for new ones. Contact us straight away to arrange for some new impressions or scans to be taken.