Once you’ve had your braces fitted, you may be wondering about the best way to take care of them, and how to manage any minor discomfort. Your dental hygiene and diet will be a big part of any successful treatment, and we’re here to help you understand the best methods to  achieve the healthiest smile possible.  

How should I manage any discomfort

Braces work by gently applying pressure to your teeth, so it’s normal to experience some soreness when you start treatment and each time your braces are adjusted. This should last a day or so, and you can take over-the-counter pain relief, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to alleviate the pain.

If you experience any rubbing or chafing in your mouth, this should subside too - usually within a few days. In the meantime, you can apply orthodontic wax to your brackets, to help alleviate any discomfort. 

What if a part of the brace breaks or comes loose?

Your orthodontist Dr Marie Heintz and our team are available at short notice to deal with any issues that may arise with your braces. 

Occasionally one of the brackets may become loose, or the wire may break - especially if you eat something particularly hard. It’s important to come and see us as soon as you can so that we can fix or replace the bracket or wire.

How to take care of your braces

We’re here to guide you through every step of treatment, and Dr Heintz will carefully take you through the best way to look after your braces. 

It’s easy for food debris to get stuck when you are wearing braces and it can be hard to reach all the areas you need to clean. We always recommend that you follow these simple, but essential guidelines:

  • Brush for two minutes, twice a day, and make sure you floss too
  • Try to brush after every meal if possible
  • We also recommend that you have a dental check-up and have your teeth cleaned every 4 months, to make sure your teeth are healthy during the treatment process

 

What food should I eact when wearing braces?

Wearing braces doesn’t mean completely altering your diet, and you should be able to eat fairly normally whilst wearing them. However, there are some foods it’s best to cut out, to avoid any problems. These include:

  • Gum, popcorn, corn on the cob, or other foods that could get stuck
  • Sticky foods such as toffee, gummies and sweets
  • Difficult to chew crusty bread, that puts extra pressure on your braces!

 

What to do in an emergency?

Sometimes, even with the best care and effort, things do go wrong. We’re here to help and you can contact us anytime you need to. If you have a broken wire, or a dislodged bracket, it’s important to call us to arrange an appointment, and get your braces fixed so that your treatment isn’t delayed.

Contacting our clinic

If you have an urgent orthodontic problem, or would like some advice about the care of your braces, please call us on 020 7244 4200 or make an appointment online

 

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