by Orthodontic Gallery on Braces And Aftercare.

Brace Aftercare

Taking care of your braces is as important to your treatment and results as having the actual brace fitted!

Some people experience very few problems after having their braces fitted, while others find the adjustment more difficult.

Here are some handy brace aftercare tips to help see you through and try to make managing them a breeze!

If you need to see us or ask us a question, please get in touch right away. Making sure you’re comfortable is our priority!

As Soon As Your Braces Are Fitted

It is completely normal for your brace to feel a bit scratchy and big when you first have your fixed braces fitted – your soft tissues will adapt over 2-3 days and the brace should feel like it’s always been there.

Orthodontic Wax

Sometimes the brackets (the bit that is bonded to your teeth, that the metal wire runs through) can feel rough on your cheeks and lips – use the wax we have given you to alleviate the rubbing.

Take a large piece of wax, roll it into a ball and place it over the bracket – It’s important to stick the wax to a dry bracket as your saliva can stop it from sticking.

Tip! Pull your lip out of the way and breathe in through your teeth to make it dry or use a hairdryer on the cool setting! Don’t be tempted to use a towel to dry the brace – the loops can get caught on the bracket and pull it off.

Initial Brace Movement

The first few hours after fitting your braces, you may experience some discomfort as the brackets put a constant gentle force on teeth. This is to be expected and normal but will wear off quickly!

If you experience any more than a bruised & sore feeling, you can take ibuprofen or paracetamol, whichever you would normally take for a headache. Be sure to read and follow the dose instructions on the packet.

Foods To Avoid

For the first few days you will need to avoid hard, chewy & tough foods like crusty bread and baguettes. Try eating softer foods instead – mashed potatoes or pasta!

It is also important to limit the number of sugary foods in your diet to keep your brace immaculately clean.

Throughout your treatment, you need to avoid biting into hard foods like apples or carrots.

The direction of force applied when eating these types of food is the same that we use to debond your brace, so you could end up sheering the brackets off of your teeth. (This won’t be painful, but you will need to come back in, and of course, the brace won’t be working while it isn’t bonded to your tooth).

Cleaning Your Brace

Other Things To Consider

If you are experiencing problems with your Orthodontic aftercare and have not found the answers in this blog – or if it’s simply time for a new smile, get touch today. One of our top experts will be happy to answer any question you have.