What do I do now that I have my braces?

Do keep your mouth clean. Your teeth will move faster if your teeth and gums are clean.

Do brush at least 3 times a day (after each meal). Deposits of food and plaque in your braces do not look nice and can cause gum disease, white spots and even decay.

Do use floss or an interproximal brush to clean between your teeth.

Do cut up your food into bite size pieces. Your braces are delicate and can be damaged if too much force is placed on them. This can cause delays in treatment.

Do check once a day to ensure your braces are not loose.

Do not eat hard (e.g. ice, popcorn, nuts) or sticky foods (e.g. wine gums, toffee).

Do not drink soft drinks or sports drinks. These are high in sugar and/or are acidic, leading to damage to the teeth and gums.

Do not wait until the next appointment if “something does not feel right”, a bracket has come loose, or if you lose anything at all (rubber bands, plates, headgear etc.). Call the practice to arrange an appointment. Waiting can cause your teeth to return to the position they were in prior to beginning treatment.

Do not hesitate to call the practice if you have any questions throughout treatment.

Special No No’s. Wearing braces means you cannot suck your thumb, bite your nails or play with your elastics with your tongue. Doing any of these will push your teeth out of line and make it necessary to wear your braces longer than originally planned.

Remember: Looking after your braces well means we will be able to remove them in the minimum possible period of time.