Looking After Your Braces

Brushing your teeth

Brushing your teeth in the morning and evening, as well as after a meal or snack, is a vital part of good oral hygiene. This is because the mouth contains millions of bacteria that form plaque on the teeth, which causes tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease.

If you are wearing braces, it’s even more important to maintain this oral hygiene routine as food can become stuck in the braces themselves. There are other things you need to do as well to ensure your braces remain in top condition while you’re wearing them.

Removable Braces

Removable braces can be taken out making brushing and flossing easier. This also means it’s easy to clean the braces themselves. Removable braces should be cleaned with a normal toothbrush and toothpaste and/or Retainer Brite. You can purchase a ‘care pack’ from our receptionist which includes a small toothbrush, a box of Retainer Brite and a box to keep your brace in when you’re not wearing it.

Fixed Braces

Fixed braces are attached to the front or, in the case of Incognito self-lingual braces, the back of your teeth. This does increase the chances of food getting stuck in the brackets so keeping them clean is important. When your fixed brace has been fitted you can buy a ‘care pack’ from our receptionist. This contains special toothbrushes, disclosing tablets, fluoride mouthwash, special floss and lots more to help you look after your brace properly.

Broken Braces

Occasionally, there may be minor problems with your brace. Please contact us for advice. If there is no-one to take your call please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

If part of the brace feels sharp then you should use the relief wax or silicone provided. Should this not solve the problem, please contact us for advice. Sometimes a little bit of wire is exposed during treatment and this may need to be trimmed.

Don’t panic if a piece of the brace breaks – it is seldom an emergency (unless there has been trauma to the face or teeth, resulting in an injury causing pain, swelling or bleeding). Lost brackets, ligatures or elastics do not need to be treated as an emergency and if you are not in any pain or discomfort, you will be appointed within a reasonable time, convenient to our daily schedule.

What to do in the Meantime

Since most cases of broken brackets on braces aren’t necessarily emergencies, you may have to wait a few days before the bracket gets repaired. If so, there are a few steps they can take to prevent any discomfort.

Rinse your mouth with salt water regularly since this can promote healing from any cuts or sores that the broken bracket may have caused. You can make a salt water mixture at home by stirring half a teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of water. You should swish this mixture around their mouth for a few seconds, then spit it out.

Hard and sticky foods can exacerbate issues with broken braces brackets, so you should avoid those foods. Instead, opt for soft foods like yogurt or cooked pasta.

Broken braces and wires can cause sores or irritation if they rub against your mouth. If this happens, you can treat the sore with an oral medication like benzocaine. An over-the-counter painkiller like ibuprofen can be used in conjunction to treat any lingering pain or discomfort.

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How to find us

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Get in touch

01422 345984

8-12 Crossley Street, Halifax, HX1 1UG

info@halifaxorthodontics.co.uk