Orthodontist in Leeds

Patient Resources

Brace Care

Brace Care Instructions

Fixed Appliances (Braces)

DO:

• Brush your teeth and braces after every meal.
• Use an interdental brush to clean under the wire at least once per day before bed.
• Use a fluoride mouthwash before bed.
• Use the wax if your brace is rubbing.
• Rinse with saltwater if your lips/ gums feel sore.
• Use analgesics of the recommended dose if required.

DO NOT

• Play with your brace.
• Eat sugary, sticky or acidic foods.
• Drink Fizzy drinks.
• Play contact sports without a gumshield.

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Removable Braces

DO:

• Wear your brace at all the times including eating and sleeping.
• Brush your teeth and brace after every meal.
• Keep your brace in a plastic box if it isn't being worn.
• Contact the practice if you lose or break your brace.

DO NOT:

• Wear your brace for contact-sports or swimming.
• Eat sugary, sticky or acidic foods.
• Drink Fizzy drinks.

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Twinblock Functional Braces

DO:

• Wear your brace all the time including sleeping.
• Bite properly into the blocks all the time, attempting to keep your lips closed.
• Try to eat with the brace in.
• Brush your teeth and braces after every meal.
• Keep your brace in a plastic box if it is not in your mouth.
• Contact the surgery if you lose or break your brace

DO NOT:

• Wear your brace for contact-sports or swimming.
• Eat sugary, sticky or acidic foods.
• Drink Fizzy drinks.

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Elastics

DO:

• Wear your elastics as instructed (See your instructions sheet).
• Change them once a day or if they break.
• Call the practice if you lose / run out of elastics as we can post more to you.

DO NOT:

• Copy how your friends wear their elastics.
• Stop wearing your elastics till instructed.

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Removable Retainer Instructions

DO:

• Wear your retainer as instructed.
• Use a toothbrush and soap to clean the brace.
• Use Retainer-Brite about once a month if required.
• Keep the retainers in a box when not worn.
• Bring your retainers to every appointment.
• If you lose your retainer contact the practice immediately for the provision of replacement.

DO NOT:

• Stop wearing your retainer.
• Eat or drink with your retainers in place.
• Clean your retainer with hot water or toothpaste.
• Leave your retainer where your dog can get to it.

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Fixed Retainer Instructions

DO:

• Use an interdental brush to clean under the wire at least once per day before bed.
• Contact the practice as soon as possible if the bonded retainer comes loose.
• Continue to wear your removable retainer.

DO NOT:

• Use floss between the teeth with the bonded retainer.