Congratulations on starting your journey with braces!

 

BRUSHING

A minimum of 5 minutes each morning and night is sufficient to keep the plaque from building up around your braces, provided you are concentrating on the correct areas. Using small circles brush above the braces, on the braces and under the braces and then remember to also brush the teeth. We will monitor your brushing at each appointment and give you tips and time to brush them at the appointment if improvements are needed. Electric toothbrushes are highly recommended.

 

SUPERFLOSS

This particular floss is specially designed for people with braces as it allows easy access under the wire. Begin by using the stiffened end to thread under the wire of the braces. Pull the floss through until you have the spongy thicker floss between the teeth and then rub the floss up against each tooth, ensuring to also go 1-2mm under the gum line. Every night is recommended.  

 

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PIKSTERS

Piksters contain a small bristle wire and can be re-used for up to 2 weeks (always rinse after each use). They enable you to clean under the wire of the braces where a toothbrush may not reach. DO NOT use Piksters for cleaning between the teeth as this may cause trauma to the gums and result in recession.

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BRACE RELIEF WAX

The wax is very useful if the braces are rubbing or cutting the inside of your cheeks, lips, and gums. If any bracket or wire is causing irritation, first dry the area with a tissue and then apply a small amount of wax to the bracket/wire. It is very important to remove all of the wax before brushing to make sure you get a thorough clean. It is non-toxic.

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BRACE RELIEF GEL

Such as Bonjela/SM33/Kenalog. These gels provide temporarily relief to oral discomfort. These gels are very useful if the braces are rubbing or cutting the inside of your cheeks, lips, and gums. If any bracket or wire is causing irritation, place a small amount on your finger and gently rub into the irritated area for relief.  

 

SALTWATER RINSES

Can help relieve oral discomfort to oral discomfort.

 

BREAKAGES

If something breaks, comes loose, or you are having problems with long wires sticking in, then please contact the surgery as soon as possible. We may not need to see you immediately, however the sooner the problem can be fixed, the better.

 

DISCOMFORT

Discomfort can be expected after the initial fitting of the braces and also after any wire changes during adjustment appointments. We recommend keeping paracetamol or ibuprofen on hand throughout the treatment, to help relieve discomfort.

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APPOINTMENTS

We will see you frequently now that you have your braces fitted. Initial adjustments may be as frequent as 4 weeks, but as the teeth straighten and we move to thicker wires, the adjustments may be as far as 3 months apart. It is VERY important to keep your adjustment appointments, this will ensure your treatment moves quickly and the braces are removed as soon as possible.

 

DENTAL CHECK-UPS

It is important to continue seeing your dentist for regular check-ups and scale and cleans during orthodontic treatment.

 

FOODS TO AVOID WITH BRACES

Chewy or sticky foods such as:

• toffees

• bubblegum

• roll ups

• minties

• mentos

• red rippers/ fantales

• beef jerky

 

Crunchy foods such as:

• popcorn

• chips

• ice

• pork crackling

• sourdough bread

 

Hard foods such as:

• nuts

• mints

• lollipops

• hard biscuits

• muesli

 

Cut up the following foods into bite-size pieces to avoid dislodging a bracket:

• corn on the cob

• apples

• raw carrots

 

• Avoid chewing on pencils, pens, and fingernails.

 

WHY? All of these foods have the potential to break brackets off your teeth or dislodge or bend wires which will result in longer treatment time and more frequent visits to fix any of the issues.

 

ANY QUESTIONS? PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL US!