caring for your fixed braces

Brushing and hygiene with fixed braces

Hygiene with braces in place is very important. The primary way of cleaning your brace and teeth with your regular toothbrush (either manual or electric). More time will now need to be spent however to clean around all of the areas of the brace as well as around all surface of the teeth and the gums. Inter-dental brushes can be helpful to access between the brackets of the brace and underneath the wire which is in the brace. A water flosser can also be a useful aid to access hard to reach areas. A travel toothbrush can be helpful to have to had when out of the house as it is helpful to brush following eating as food can otherwise become stuck in/around the brace

Foods and eating with fixed braces

It is sensible to avoid very sticky or very hard foods however (for example; an apple, raw carrot or crusty piece of bread). Hard foods can be eaten but should be chopped up first and then chewed carefully using back teeth. Sugary or acidic foods and drinks (for example; soft drinks) should be avoided and not eaten/drunk frequently

Breakages or problems with fixed braces

Occasionally, usually when biting on something hard, a piece of the brace might break. The two most common occurrences are;

✦ The small flexible wire which is in the brace may become loose from the brackets on the back teeth. If this happens it is not a significant problem, the wire can be placed back into its place in the brace with use of a tweezers and good lighting. Or, if comfortable the wire can simply be left as it is until the next scheduled appointment. If the wire is uncomfortable and cannot be re-placed into position then it is best to contact the clinic and schedule an additional appointment.

✦ A bracket may ‘debond’ and become detached from a tooth. If this happens it is best to contact the clinic and schedule an additional appointment to have a new bracket reattached. (Note: if a bracket from a Lingual brace, which is custom made, has debonded please keep this bracket and bring it to your appointment so that it may be reattached).

mouthguard wear with fixed braces

If playing contact sports which would usually require use of a removable mouthguard (for example rugby or boxing) it is important that mouthguard wear is continued during orthodontic treatment. The most common form of mouthguard used with fixed braces are non-customised ‘heat formable’ mouthguards which, following heating in warm water, can be shaped to fit over your fixed braces. Alternatively pre-formed brace friendly mouthguards can be purchased directly however these mouthguards may be of a slightly looser fit.

playing wind instruments with fixed braces

Most wind instrument musicians will get used to wearing a fixed brace within a few months. The more you practice, the quicker you will adjust to your new brace. Fixed braces may rub the inside of your lips and cheeks when playing certain types of wind instruments, particularly brass instruments. Orthodontic wax applied to the brackets of your fixed brace can be used to protect your lips when you are playing. On occasion fitting a larger diameter mouthpiece to the wind instrument being played may add to comfort whilst playing.