Do I still need to see my regular dentist?

REMEMBER
Yes. It will be important you still have PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET
• Brush your teeth for 3 minutes at
check-ups with your regular dentist
throughout orthodontic treatment so that
least twice each day. REMOVABLE
• Use an alcohol-free fluoride
your teeth can be checked for decay.
mouthrinse once every day. APPLIANCES
What do I do if I play contact sports? • Avoid sugary snacks & drinks
You should wear a gumshield instead of between meals and at bedtime.
your removable brace when you play • Avoid fizzy drinks.
contact sports. This will also be the case • Avoid hard, sticky and chewy
if you take part in activities requiring a sweets and foods.
protective helmet e.g. roller-blading,
skateboarding and horse riding. Remove • Continue to visit your dentist
the brace for swimming as well. regularly.
When not in your mouth, the brace • Treatment will usually take 6 - 12
should be kept in a protective box. months.
Ask your orthodontist for further advice. • You will need to wear retainers for
some time after your treatment
What if I play a musical instrument? finishes.
If you play a wind instrument, particularly
the flute or a brass instrument, then you What do I do if my brace breaks or
may be advised to remove the brace I lose it?
whilst playing. However, when the brace Ring up for an appointment as soon as is
is not in your mouth it should be kept in a reasonably possible. Do not wait for your
protective box to prevent breakage. You next routine appointment as the breakage
can discuss this further with your music may slow your treatment or it may result
teacher and orthodontist. Download the in damage to your teeth. If you repeatedly
advice sheet on this subject from the BOS break your brace, your treatment may be
website (www.bos.org.uk). stopped early.

The daytime telephone number you

should contact if a breakage occurs is:

Tel…………………………..

This leaflet has been produced with guidance from the Plain English Campaign
and British Dyslexia Association to make it easier for you to read
BRITISH ORTHODONTIC SOCIETY
Copyright© BOS reprinted 2012 British Orthodontic Society 12 Bridewell Place London EC4V 6AP Registered Charity No 1073464 www.bos.org.uk

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 Now that you have a removable brace Can I eat normally? Sugary snacks/drinks and poor cleaning
(appliance) you may have some Yes, you should be able to eat normally. of your teeth and brace will lead to
questions you would like answered. It is important you keep the brace in whilst permanent damage to your teeth as
For more information about Orthodontics, eating unless you are otherwise instructed. shown in the picture below.
please visit: www.bos.org.uk Although it may be difficult at first, eating
with the brace in place will become easier
Will it be painful? with time. After each meal, remove the
It is likely to be sore for about 3 - 5 days brace and clean/rinse it thoroughly.
each time the brace is adjusted. If For your orthodontic treatment to work
necessary, painkillers such as the ones well and in the shortest possible time, it is
you would normally take for a headache, important that you take care of your teeth
should help - please read the instructions and brace.
on the packet. If there is an obvious area
of soreness due to the brace, ring for an In order to avoid damage to both, you should:
appointment as soon as possible - see • Avoid sugary snacks/drinks between
Damage caused by the brace due to
telephone number overleaf. Don’t stop meals and at bedtime.
sugary snacks/drinks and poor brushing.
wearing the brace or you will have a • Avoid sticky, chewy or hard sweets,
further 3 - 5 days of discomfort when you mints and sugared chewing gum.
start wearing it again. If it is really too • Avoid fizzy drinks (including diet Can I remove the brace?
uncomfortable, wear the brace for 2 hours drinks) and large amounts of fruit juice. Yes, but you should only remove it for
before your next visit and show the • Hard or chewy foods - such as apples, cleaning. Do not repeatedly click the
orthodontist where it is rubbing. carrots and crusty bread - can damage brace in and out with your tongue as
your brace. Avoid them or cut them up this will break the wires and increase the
How else might it affect me? first! length of time the treatment will take.
Your speech will be different at first.
Practice speaking with the brace in place What about tooth brushing?
e.g. read out aloud at home on your own. How long will treatment take?
It is important that you brush your teeth
In this way, your speech will return to well for at least 3 minutes, twice a day. It usually takes 6-12 months but will vary
normal within a couple of days. Use a fluoride toothpaste. If possible, according to how severe your case is.
To begin with you may produce more carry a brush with you for use after lunch. You may need to progress on to a fixed
saliva and have to swallow more than brace to finish your treatment. Failed
normal. This is quite normal and will Take the brace out to clean your teeth. and cancelled appointments or repeated
quickly pass in a couple of days. You should also gently clean the brace
breakages of the brace will increase the
with a toothbrush and toothpaste over a
sink of water, taking care not to damage length of time the treatment will take.
the wires.
How often will I need an appointment?
To further protect the teeth, use an You will need regular appointments
alcohol-free fluoride mouthrinse daily (usually every 4-5 weeks) during
at a different time to when you brush
treatment for the brace to be adjusted.
A removable brace on the top teeth your teeth. Avoid eating or rinsing for 20
and a fixed brace on the bottom teeth. minutes after using it.

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