Caring for Braces

Will my teeth be sore?

When your braces are first put on, you may not feel any discomfort, but as time progresses you may feel some tenderness of the teeth and discomfort of the cheeks and gums. We recommend you take the medication that you would normally take for a headache, but stay away from anti-inflammatory drugs as these slow down the rate of movement of your teeth.

You may experience some looseness of your teeth as a result of tooth movement. DO NOT PANIC, as this is a normal reaction.

Apply wax to any areas of the braces which are causing discomfort, but ensure the area is nice and dry before applying.

Later, you may experience some mouth ulcers. A mouth rinse such as Difflam® may help to ease the discomfort, and Kenalog in Orabase® is useful to protect the tissues of the cheeks, but is hard to apply.

Avoid hard, sticky, chewy foods and substitute with soft foods such as mashed potato, pasta, rice and soup.

Can I eat normally?

For the first days you should have a simple diet of soft foods. You can become more adventurous after a couple of days. Keep to the "No Eats List" to avoid breaking your braces and delaying your treatment

What do I do if I break my braces?

If you break a part of your braces, please contact the rooms immediately to arrange an appointment to repair your braces. These appointments will be in school time to help the clinical team to avoid running late.

DO NOT wait until your next appointment to tell us of your broken appliance as we will not have enough time to repair your breakage, and you will be rescheduled. This is obviously an inconvenience for you and will set your treatment back.

Generally we allow for 3 breakages before additional charges are made. We believe this is plenty and only a lack of care and attention will result in more than the occasional problem. The costs of repairs to braces beyond the three free repairs will vary from $50 to $100, or more!

Don't forget - breakages extend your treatment time!

Will I need to wear anything else in addition to my braces?

Throughout treatment it may necessary for you to wear elastic bands to fix your bite. You will be given instructions at this stage. Although at first there may be some tenderness it is really important that you wear as instructed otherwise you will prolong your treatment. If your Orthodontist prescribes a headgear or face mask for you, you will be instructed in its use and the number of hours to be worn each day.

What do I do if I play contact sport?

Braces won't interfere with most sports. You should always wear a mouth guard playing contact sports. A tight fitting custom mouth guard may interfere with moving the teeth unless specially designed and manufactured. If a mouth guard rubs trim until it is comfortable. Alternatively you may choose to purchase a mouth guard from a sports store.

Do I still need to see a regular dentist?

Yes. It is important that you still see your dentist/ periodontist every 6 months for check ups. Some patients will require more regular reviews.

Do I brush my teeth the same way?

Brushing your teeth whilst having braces on is very different to brushing without braces. It is essential that you keep your oral hygiene to the highest standard through out treatment to avoid having inflamed gums and permanent stains on your teeth once your braces are removed. Yes, these stains never go away. Also, poor oral hygiene will extend your treatment time.

Please remember:

• Brush 3 times a day or after every meal, with a fluoridated toothpaste.
• Carry a tooth brush in your bag. If you are at a venue where you are unable to brush, rinse your mouth with water and then brush at next available time.
• Floss every night prior to brushing your teeth, and use the interdental (Christmas tree brush) provided.
• Use a weekly fluoride mouth rinse to assist your dental care.
• Ask you hygienist for advice.
• Consider using Tooth Mousse®