For your Comfort

• You will now be quite aware of the feeling of the braces against your lips and cheeks. You will get used to this feeling, and after the first few days this will come quite natural to you.
• Please use the wax as instructed to prevent any further rubbing of the brace, and warm salty mouth rinses may ease the discomfort of any ulcers that may develop over the coming months.
• There will be a pressure feeling on the teeth which may last a few days. You may wish to take some medication as you would take for a headache at this period of time.
• A soft diet will also help in the early stages of the braces being fitted, until the teeth become use to the brace.

For your Oral Hygiene

• Adequate tooth brushing and flossing is paramount now that the braces are fitted. Please ensure that you brush as per instructed.
• Use the disclosing tablets supplied to self check that you are doing a good job.
• You may also need to carefully consider your diet to avoid consuming acidic food and drink.
• Orthodontic appliances do not cause cavities, but because of their presence, plaque and food particles are retained more readily and the cavity potential is increased.
• It is important to have regular check-ups at your family dentist during orthodontic treatment.

Use a dry brush with a small amount of toothpaste. 
Place bristles where gum and teeth meet.

Use circular, vibrating motion around the gumline, spending
about 10 seconds around each tooth.

Brush slowly, each arch (upper and lower teeth) seperately.
Concentrate on every tooth.

Brush the lower teeth upwards and the upper teeth downwards.
Brush the roof of your mouth and tongue too.

Adjustment Appointments

With modern braces and wires, adjustments are approximately every eight weeks. The modules are replaced at every appointment. This is a chance to be creative with your colours! These appointments are usually fifteen minutes. The teeth will be tender after each adjustment but not as bad as the initial days when the braces were fitted.

Treatment Time
Treatment time depends on four things
• Patient growth
• The rate at which the patient’s teeth move
• The severity of the problem
• Patient cooperation (most important of all)

Your brackets have been tested today to confirm that they are firmly attached to your teeth. If you have any questions about the instructions that you have been given, or about caring for your braces, please ask us. We are always happy to answer your questions.
 

A Soft Diet

What is a soft diet? It is soft food you can eat when you have just had braces placed, and is recommended until the initial discomfort subsides. Sometimes it is hard to think of what to have for variety so here are some suggestions.

Breakfast
Pureed fruit
Warmed waffles or pancakes
Yoghurt
Weetbix with plenty of milk
Milk drink- Warm hot chocolate or fruit smoothie

Lunch
Noodles, pasta, rice
Omelettes, quiches etc
Fresh bread without crusts
Soft fruit e.g. bananas, kiwifruit, melons
Pikelets

Dinner
Soup
Pasta
Fish- poached or steamed
Eggs
KFC mashed potato with gravy is popular
Jelly and ice-cream
Custard and fruit

Even after you are used to your braces you will still need to be careful with the hard things you eat ie  apples, carrots and hard biscuits.
Everyone is different when coping with braces. Some people find it easier than others. The same is true for food you can manage at this time. Soon you will realize what you can manage and it will be easy. Sore teeth don’t last for long, so this is always a short term diet.
If you have any problems please don’t hesitate to ring us for further advice.
The Golden Rules for the Best Results

To achieve the best result with the least amount of time, the patient must do the following
• Keep scheduled appointments
• Practise good oral hygiene
• Maintain a proper diet
• Follow instructions
• See your family dentist for regular check-ups.

  Parts of your brace

1. Bracket: The attachment bonded (glued) to the tooth
or welded to the band.
2. Archwire: A large removable wire that fits around the arch
and slots into the brackets
3. Elastic module: Plastic/rubber ring that ties the archwire into
the bracket or
Ligature wire: Tiny wire that ties the archwire into the bracket.
4. Hooks: Used to attach elastics (rubber bands).
5. Band: A ring of metal with the bracket attached that is sometimes
glued around the tooth.

Problems and Solutions

When wearing braces, it is possible that a problem such as a loose bracket, loose wire, or a poking wire may occur. Most problems are not urgent unless they are causing pain. You will be given an emergency appointment with an orthodontic auxiliary within 48 hours however these visits are usually scheduled in school time.

Loose Bracket
If the bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it in place. If it is uncomfortable, place wax on it. Please notify us as soon as possible.

Loose Wire
You can try to replace th wire back in position.  If this is not possible please contact us.

Sharp Wire
Try to push the wire down with the blunt end of a spoon. If that is not possible, place wax and please phone us. If you do not have wax with you place Extra sugar free gum over the sharp area.

Missing Module
Please use your discretion as to whether you need to contact us.