Post Operative Instructions
Braces Guidelines
Congratulations you are now wearing braces. It is important that you and your caretaker understands certain requirements that you must comply with while undergoing orthodontic treatment so that we can achieve the best results for you in the shortest time.
We want your orthodontic treatment to be pleasant experience. If you follow all instructions carefully (eg. brushing properly, avoiding harmful foods and wearing appliances as told) you will be a happy patient.
What to Expect During Treatment
- Once the braces are placed and wires are activated for the first time, you may have discomfort for about a week.
- A mild analgesic can be taken if needed to relieve your treatment. There will be little or no pain after the first week of treatment.
- Your speech may be affected after placement of an appliance.
- Read aloud to yourself and you will quickly adapt to the new situation.
Brushing with Braces
- It is a good idea to use plaque disclosing tablets at least once a week to check that you are brushing correctly.
- Dental floss and/or interdental brushes can be used to remove plaque that toothbrush cannot reach.
Orthodontic Patient Instruction Sheet
Separating elastics have now been placed on your teeth.
You will experience discomfort from:
1. The separating elastics – They will feel like you have something stuck between your teeth. Please do not remove them with a toothpick or by using floss. They are needed to create space for the molar bands that will be placed on your molars in seven day’s time.
2. Brackets – These can cause mechanical irritation to the cheeks and lips over the next few days. Making them feel rough and raw. Nothing to worry about. The lips and cheeks will eventually strengthen up.
3. The arch wires – Although we bend them behind the last tooth, they can rotate and irritate the cheeks. It is your responsibility to check your mouth and feel for anything sharp that is irritating you, before you leave the rooms, so that we can remove the irritation or give you some wax to protect your cheeks.
These wires can irritate the cheeks as the arch form changes and as the arch wires move from left to right due to the pumping action of chewing.
4. Tender teeth/slightly loose teeth – Your teeth will become tender over the period of your orthodontic treatment especially when new arch wires (Bent Wire System) and elastic bands are placed. Please always bring this to the attention of the doctor. It needs to be monitored.
5. Inflammation – In order for teeth to move through solid bone, loose wires (Bent Wire System) – is activated to move teeth both backwards, forwards and in width. With young children, this activation is small and tends to loosen in within 2 to 3 weeks.
Please call and book an appointment to tighten the BWS or the patient might play with it causing it to fall out. If it does fall out (no panic) please keep it in a packet and bring it in for replacement.
6. Brushing your teeth – Please note the brushing technique is different to when you had no braces. You are expected to:
- Brush twice daily minimum.
- Rinse once daily recommended.
- Brush over the brackets and wires.
- Brush from the top down.
- Brush from the bottom up.
- Brush two teeth at a time for a minimum of five seconds.
- Your gums must be massaged, or they will start swelling because of lack of stimulation (keratin).
We recommend that you must brush your teeth and gums carefully in the morning, evening and each time you eat something even snacks).
Remember to take a toothbrush to school or work (a travel toothbrush, is very handy for this purpose). If it is not convenient to brush, at least rinse your mouth with water after eating.
All the bands and wires should be free of food particles and plague and the orthodontic appliance should shine. If not completely clean brush them again.
We recommend that you use a fluoride containing mouth rinse such as Listerfluor. After brushing, rinse your mouth with capful for one minute. Spit out and do not rinse with water. Try not to eat or drink for half an hour after rinsing.
NB!! Poor tooth brushing will lead to bracket failure tooth decay, permanent stains on your teeth and swollen or bleeding gums.
Food and Eating Habits
Certain foods can damage, break or bend your appliances and should be avoided during your treatment.
- Hard food bends wires and breaks off brackets.
- Sticky food bends wires and loosens cement.
- Highly sweetend food & drink cause tooth decay and if frequently used while your braces are on, will cause white decalcification rings on the teeth after we remove the braces.
Please follow the principles below:
- Soft foods (no hard diet).
- Cut all food into small pieces.
- Chew with your back teeth.
- Chew gently.
- Do not use your front teeth to bite through anything.
- No hard sweets (toffies, candies), popcorn and sticky foods.
- Sports - Use a mouthguard. Contact receptionist - we can make it here.
- Breaking of brackets - A repair fee will be charged per bracket.
Do not eat:
- Sweets, toffees or chewing gum.
- Hard crusted bread or bread rolls.
- Mielies as in corn on the cob.
- Any food with a high sugar content.
- Don’t eat off a bone e.g., Chops. Cut the meat off into small pieces before eating it.
- Tough meat.
- Ice.
- Don't drink lemon juice or any drinks with a high sugar or acid content.
Be careful! – Cut apples into wedges and cut raw carrots, celery etc. Into small pieces before eating.
Emergencies
Loose Bands, Brackets / Bent Wires / Broken Appliances
- If your appliances are broken or bent, your teeth will not move,In fact they will move where we don't want them to move.
- And this will mean wearing your braces longer.
- Make an appointment to see us immediately.
- Bring all bits & pieces of broken appliances with you.
Wires that Hurt
If catching your lips or cheeks on the brace is painful, apply a small piece of cotton wool and ‘snag’ it onto the wire to let the sore heal. Alternatively, place a small blob of wax, which you can get from us, onto the offending wire or bracket.
Lost Appliances
Make an appointment to see us immediately.
Retention
At the completion of active treatment – which normally lasts for about 2 years, you will begin the period of retention. To retain teeth means to hold them in their new positions until the tissues, i.e. the bones, the elastic attachment around the roots, the gums, the tongue and the lips, have adapted themselves to the new tooth positions. Without retention, teeth will move from their new positions.
Professional Fees
Your treatment is in your own interest. Poor co-operation and compliance will only extend treatment time and cost. It is therefore important that you understand these instructions.
Please contact us if clarification of this instruction or additional information is required.
Always keep a positive attitude, stay motivated, remember the value and benefit of your commitment to treatment.
And the journey will become easy, proactive and beneficial to your growth and development.
You are worth it… Invest in yourself now and reap the rewards later.
Ready to Take Care of Your Smile?
Whether you need advice, treatment or simply want to book your next dental visit, our friendly team is here to help. Get in touch with Dentalhouse and take the next step towards a healthier, more confident smile.
