Caring for your braces
It is vital that you brush your teeth twice a day, both in the morning and evening and also after any meal or snack. Our mouths contain millions of bacteria that can form plaque on our teeth, which, if not taken care of, can cause tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease.
Removable braces such as Invisalign and retainers can be removed for brushing and flossing and should be cleaned with a normal toothbrush and toothpaste, taking care not to bend any of the wires. If you have a fixed brace, you can buy a 'care pack' from our reception desk. This contains special toothbrushes, plaque-disclosing tablets, fluoride mouthwash, and soft wax, which you can mould over your brace if it is rubbing.
Possible discomfort when wearing braces
It is normal to experience a small issue during the first few weeks of fitting a new brace. It can take some time to get used to wearing an orthodontic appliance.
You may experience some discomfort during this time caused by loose brackets, wires snapping or disengaging. These problems may be a result of any number of small issues, such as:
Inappropriate food (too hard or sticky)
Habits like chewing pens and nail-biting
Deep or strong biting – an upper tooth may be biting too much on a lower bracket or lower wire
Grinding teeth at night
Dental cement or bonding problems
If the wires are causing you discomfort, use the soft wax from your care kit to cover any exposed edges. If you experience severe discomfort that you cannot repair, please call us on 01279 758210.
Discomfort at the beginning of your orthodontic treatment rarely increases the total treatment time. However, breakages during the later stages of treatment could result in longer treatment times as we may need to go back a step.
Watch some of our brace care videos
Fixed braces care
Fixed braces care
Fixed braces care
Dental visits
We recommend that you still attend your dental visits whilst receiving orthodontic treatment. Typically these are twice a year, or as often as your dentist and orthodontist recommend.
If you keep to a sensible diet and brush your teeth thoroughly, you will have beautiful teeth and healthy gums when your braces are removed and a smile to be proud of!
Braces care summary
If you have been fitted with an orthodontic appliance, it is important that you take care of it to ensure it does its job successfully. Here is how to do so;
Carefully brush and floss after every meal
Use a fluoride mouthwash every day
Avoid sticky or hard food that may damage your braces
Avoid sugary food
Avoid fizzy drinks, even diet ones
Take smaller mouthfuls and chew carefully
Continue seeing your dentist for routine appointments
If you still have questions about caring for your braces, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team today - they'll be happy to help!