- Reference Number: HEY1221/2021
- Departments: Oral Surgery, Dentistry and Max Fax
- Last Updated: 7 May 2021
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- Your appliance should be worn all day and night (approx. 23 hours per day). This includes mealtimes and sleeping unless instructed otherwise by your Orthodontist. When playing contact sports such as rugby and swimming we advise you to take the appliance out for this and keep it in the box we have provided for you.
- It is likely to be sore and your teeth may feel tender for about three to five days after your removable braces are fitted. If necessary, pain relief medication which you would normally take for a headache may help.
- The appliance can sometimes rub against your lips and cheeks which may cause an ulcer. We will give you some silicone wax to take home with you and show you how to use this. If your brace is causing you pain or digging into your lips and cheeks causing them to bleed please contact the department on (01482) 468317 for an emergency appointment.
- Some patients experience slight speech problems when their appliance is first fitted. This is common and normally lasts for a few days. We recommend you try and read books out loud and practice talking to family or friends to help improve this.
- After you have had your appliance fitted it is best to have soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow as it will be difficult to eat with the appliance in situ. Once the discomfort has settled, meals can be eaten as normal however you must avoid sticky hard foods such as hard-boiled sweets and chewing gum as these types of foods can damage the brace. We recommend you cut hard foods such as carrots, pizza crust with a knife and fork rather than biting straight into them as this may also cause the appliance to break. Avoid drinking sugary and fizzy drinks.
- If you find eating with the appliance in too uncomfortable you may take it out for eating but you must remember to wear the appliance as soon as you have finished eating.
- It is essential that you keep both your teeth and your appliance clean throughout your treatment. We recommend brushing your teeth twice per day with fluoride toothpaste (every morning and evening). A fluoride mouthwash can also be used once a day at a separate time to brushing. We will demonstrate to you how to brush and clean your appliance.
- After each meal your appliance should be removed and rinsed under the tap with water. Every morning and evening you should clean the appliance with soap and your toothbrush. Once a week you can use a brace cleaning agent to clean the appliance.
- If your appliance becomes loose or is broken please contact the department on (01482) 468317 at your earliest convenience. A broken appliance means it is not working and this may prolong your treatment.
- If you break your brace repeatedly or do not keep your oral health up to standard your Orthodontic treatment may be discontinued.
- If the appliance is not worn as instructed it will not work and we may have to discontinue your treatment.
- Appointments to adjust your appliance will be every 6 – 8 weeks over a period of approx. 6 – 9 months. If you are unable to attend an appointment please contact the department as soon as possible to re-arrange.
- It is very important you maintain your routine dental check-ups throughout the duration of your orthodontic treatment.
- Please note there will be a charge per retainer if you were to lose or not wear your appliance and require a replacement to be made. The current cost is £50 per arch. Please note this amount could change in the future.
