Removable braces

You will likely be sore for 3 to 5 days after each time the brace is adjusted. If necessary, painkillers such as those you would take for a headache will help, though you should make sure to read the instructions on the packet.

If there is an obvious area of soreness as a result of the brace rubbing against your skin, give your orthodontist a call and make an appointment as soon as possible. If you can, try to keep wearing the brace until we can see you, or you will have to go through the 3 to 5 days of soreness again. It will also help us to see exactly which part of the brace is causing the problem.

Your speech may be different until you get used to wearing the brace. Practise speaking with the brace in place by reading out loud by yourself. This will help your speech return to normal within a few days.

To begin with you may also find yourself swallowing a lot as a result of your mouth watering more. This is quite normal and will pass.

You should be able to eat normally after your brace is fitted, and it is important you keep the brace in whilst doing so, unless your orthodontist tells you otherwise.

Although it might be difficult at first, eating with the brace will become easier the more you do it.

After each meal, remove the brace and rinse your mouth thoroughly, brushing the brace with your toothbrush to remove all debris.

To make sure your treatment works well and in the shortest possible time, it is important you take care of your teeth and brace. In order to avoid damage to both, you should try to avoid the following:

• Toffee, boiled sweets, chewing gum, bubble gum and chews
• Fizzy drinks, including diet drinks and excessive amounts of fruit juice
• Hard foods such as crunchy apples, crusty bread rolls and nuts etc. might damage the brace
• Hard food can be eaten with care, if you cut them up small before chewing them

After your brace is fitted, it is important you brush twice a day and use fluoride toothpaste. If possible, carry a toothbrush with you for use after lunch.

A daily fluoride mouth rinse should also be used last thing at night after brushing your teeth. Failure to keep your teeth and brace clean will lead to suspension of treatment by your orthodontist so as to avoid permanent damage.

You should only remove the brace for cleaning and playing contact sports. Try to avoid flicking the brace up and down with your tongue, as this can become a bad habit that can bend or break the wires and increase treatment times.

Treatment usually takes 6 to 12 months, but will vary according to how severe your case is. Failed or cancelled appointments and repeated breakages will increase treatment times.

Your orthodontist will need to see you about every 6 to 10 weeks depending on the type of removable brace you have.

It is very important that you have a check-up every 6 months with your dentist so that your teeth can be checked for decay.

You should still wear a gum shield instead of your appliance. When not in your mouth, your brace should be in a protective box, which you can get from your orthodontist.

If you play an instrument such as a clarinet or flute, then you should remove the brace whilst playing.

If you break your brace, ring up for an appointment as soon as you can, don’t wait for your next routine adjustment as the breakage may slow your treatment or may result in damage to your teeth.

If you repeatedly break your brace, your treatment may be suspended to prevent damage to your teeth.