FIXES APLLIANCE (BRACES)
Fixed appliance is the official name for braces, in which a bracket is attached to most teeth. The arch (wire) runs through the brackets and tubes and is attached to the bracket with small rubber bands or metal wires.
Get used to the braces
In the beginning, you will have to get used to having braces. According to most patients, it does not hurt, but it does cause a feeling of pressure because a slight force is put on your teeth. Therefore, for the first few days up to a week, they will be sensitive and a little loose, and gaps may appear between the teeth. Biting off food during this period may also be sensitive or difficult.
This may recur for a few days after each visit to the orthodontist. You may also experience some discomfort on your cheeks and lips in the beginning. Applying a piece of white wax against the sharp edges can relieve some of the irritation. Do not use this wax too quickly or excessively or your mouth will never get used to it; a kind of callus will have to develop.
Loose lock
Is there a lock loose? don’t panic!
1 loose lock; you do not have to call or come to the emergency room. At the next check we will look at what is best in your situation; to replace the lock or not.
2 or more loose locks: call the practice as soon as possible for a separate longer appointment to re-tighten the locks (unless an x-ray is taken next time, in which case we will look at what to do at that appointment). We may move your already scheduled check-up appointment to a slightly further away location.
Proper care
It is very important that you handle your braces with care; a bracket is quite weak. Hard foods, such as apples, nuts, baguettes, lollipops, but also sticky sweets like liquorice, toffees, chewing gum and the like should not be eaten as they can easily loosen the bracket. Limit sweet soft drinks as much as possible. Cola is not bad for your braces, but it is bad for your teeth. Do not drink it too often.
Brushing
Braces are not harmful to teeth if they are kept carefully clean. However, braces do create a lot of edges and corners in the mouth and these all need to be kept clean; an electric toothbrush is much better at this than a manual toothbrush, special heads are not necessary, just brush the brackets clean all around.
Interdental brushes, toothpicks and rinses are then not always necessary unless you cannot maintain oral hygiene during braces treatment without them. Also, remember to brush your gums carefully. It is important to brush 3 times a day with braces and for 5 minutes each time (3½ minutes if you only have braces on your lower or upper jaw). If brushing is not done properly, permanent white or brown discolouration or even cavities can develop around the brackets.
In the unlikely event that something should break in your braces, do not wait until the next appointment, but call the practice to explain what is wrong. We will make an appointment with you to repair it or combine the repair with the check-up appointment.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU BRUSH ALL TEETH, GUMS AND BRACKETS CAREFULLY 3 TIMES A DAY WITH BRACES, PREFERABLY WITH AN ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH!