Life With Braces

Putting Braces On

• You will find that your teeth are tender for the first couple of days. During this time, we recommend you eat soft foods and soups.
• Take paracetamol, if necessary.
• Use the orthodontic silicone/wax to avoid mouth ulcers. This will be included in the oral hygiene kit you receive on the day your braces are fitted.
• During your treatment, a bracket may come loose or a wire may break. If this happens, please contact us at the clinic closest to you to book the earliest available appointment.

Application of Fixed Metal and Porcelain Braces

• Brackets are placed on your teeth and held in place with a small amount of harmless adhesive and elastics, which can be coloured or plain.
• An archwire, which will be replaced or adjusted at your follow-up appointments, is fed through the brackets.

Fitting of Invisalign Clear Braces

• We will take a mould of your teeth.
• This mould is sent off-site to a laboratory.
• The removable aligner will be fitted at your next appointment.

Oral Hygiene

Regardless of whether you are wearing removable of fixed braces, it is of paramount importance that you make a commitment to look after your braces and your teeth throughout your treatment. Failure to do so can lead to oral health problems, cause unsightly staining on your teeth and prolonged treatment, which may increase the cost of your orthodontic treatment.

Fixed Metal and Porcelain Braces:

• Brush your teeth after every meal.
• Floss your teeth at least once a day using Dental Superfloss, available from your pharmacy.
• Use TePe Interdental Brushes to remove food that may be caught in the brackets. These will be provided in oral hygiene kit you will receive at the start of your treatment. They can also be purchased from your pharmacy.
• Use a fluoride mouthwash to strengthen your teeth and make them more resistant to staining.

Invisalign Clear Braces

•  Always take them out to eat.
•  Always brush your teeth before you put them back in.
•  Floss your teeth every night.
• Use a fluoride mouthwash to strengthen your teeth and make them more resistant to staining.

Eating with Braces

Follow-Up Visits

For fixed and clear braces, a five minute follow up appointment is required every 4-8 weeks to make adjustments. It is essential that you attend these appointments for rapid progress and optimal results.

During a follow up appointment, Dr O’Donnell will:

• Check on your progress.
• Replace wires.
• Replace elastics.
• Replace clear aligners.

Getting Braces Off

The day that every person dreams of from the start of orthodontic treatment – getting your braces off!

This appointment will last approximately 40 minutes:

• You will feel some pressure but no pain as Dr O’Donnell removes the brackets from your teeth.
• Your teeth will be given a clean to remove the adhesive that bonded the brackets to your teeth.
• You will be required to wear a retainer for a period of time to hold your teeth in their new positions.