What to expect following fitting of your fixed braces
Comfort
Your brace will feel unfamiliar immediately after fitting but otherwise comfortable. However in few hours’ time it is usual that an ‘achy’ sort of discomfort will develop in the teeth. This ‘aching’ usually lasts approximately 4-5 days and then settles down / returns to normal. If required can take pain killers can be taken to aid comfort during this initial period (the same as for a headache. For example; Paracetamol or, if you are able to take it, ibuprofen). Eating a softer diet for the first few days is helpful for comfort and for ‘getting used to’ brace. Typically patients will have gotten used to and become comfortable with their labial metallic or labial ceramic fixed braces within on week. For lingual fixed appliances one to two weeks should be allowed for full acclimatization and comfort to be achieved.
Foods and eating
After your first week, when your teeth feel normal again and less ‘achy’, you can return to eating a normal diet. 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 your brace
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).
Brushing and hygiene
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.
Orthodontic wax
Occasionally small areas of irritation/ulceration can develop if parts of the brace are ‘rubbing’ on the lips of cheeks. (This is most frequent in the first few weeks after braces are fitted). Wax can be used for comfort if an area of ulceration develops. Apply wax by squashing a small ‘pea-sized’ amount of wax on and around any brackets/brace components which are ‘rubbing’. Re-apply wax as needed.
Next appointments
Your regular review appointments should be approximately every 6 weeks for adjustment of the brace. Adjustment of the brace in the early stages of treatment usually involves simply changing the wire which is in the brace. This will be a much easier/shorter appointment than your brace fitting appointment. If any questions, queries or concerns develop in the meantime please get in contact.