Download How to take care of your Removable / Functional Orthodontic Brace

How to take care of your Removable / Functional Orthodontic Brace
Wearing your brace
When you get your brace the orthodontist will show you how to fit it correctly. It is very important for you to continue to fit it
correctly between visits. Incorrect fitting may cause you unnecessary discomfort or the treatment time to be prolonged.
To achieve the best results you must wear your brace as instructed by your orthodontic clinician. This may include wearing it
when you are eating and in bed at night.
You must remove your brace to clean your teeth or when you are playing contact sports.
It is usual for patients to have some difficulty speaking when the first get their brace. If you persist with wearing the brace this
should pass and your speech will return to normal.
Likewise some patients produce more saliva when they start wearing the brace. Again this will pass with continued wear.
Adjusting your brace
Some patients have to adjust their brace between appointments. The orthodontist will show you how to do this and advise you
how often if needs adjusted.
Cleaning you brace and teeth
You should clean your brace and teeth at least 4-5 times a day. This means you will have to take a toothbrush to school or work.
Take the brace out of your mouth to clean them both the brace and your teeth.
Use a toothburush and toothpaste to clean all surfaces of the brace. Be very careful when cleaning the metal parts of your brace as
these are easily damaged.
Brush your teeth as normal and make sure you do an extra special clean before you go to bed. We recommend using a fluoride
mouthwash after you clean your teeth at night,
Please note that in extreme cases patients with poor oral hygiene may have to have treatment stopped prior to it being completed.
Broken Braces
It is very important that you take good care of your brace. Breakages to the brace can increase your treatment time by up to 6-12
weeks and if you loose your brace or break it beyond repair you may have to pay for a replacement.
We recommend you store your brace in a hard box when you a not wearing it.
Orthodontic appliance boxes are on sale at reception.
Diet
Foods high in sugar such as sweets and fizzy drinks should not be consumed when wearing the brace. Plaque in your mouth can
use these sugars to produce acid. This acid can permanently damage your teeth.
Pain or discomfort from the brace
It is normal for patients to feel discomfort from their teeth after they get their braces fitted or adjusted. This discomfort is different
for everyone but on average lasts up to 5-7 days. We recommend you use whatever painkillers you normally take to help with the
discomfort. If the discomfort persists beyond 7 days or you are concerned about it please contact the practice for advice.
If any part of the brace is causing discomfort to your cheeks or gums stop wearing it and inform the orthodontist on your next
visit.
This advice leaflet covers some of the common uncertainties and difficulties encountered by patients wearing a removable brace.
If you experience any other problems from your brace or need further advice about something covered in this leaflet please
contact the practice or ask the orthodontist at your next visit.