- Small-head toothbrush – or simply the free electric toothbrush provided when your brace goes on!
- Use a pea-size amount of fluoridated toothpaste
- 2-3 minutes brushing in front of a mirror.
- Use circular, massaging motions to clean around the gums.
- Brush your tongue afterwards
- Use daily or weekly fluoridated mouth rinse – alcohol free!
During Treatment
It is imperative that you attend regular appointments throughout your treatment to ensure optimal oral health.
Request an AppointmentWays To Maintain Good Oral Health
Once you have commenced your brace treatment, your orthodontist will explain to you all the ways for you to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Breakages In Your Braces
If you experience a break in your braces, here's what you need to know...
- Breakages are generally a rare occurrence – some patients experience none at all, others may have only a few during the entire course of treatment.
- A single broken bracket will not normally affect treatment length or complexity, but we recommend communication with your orthodontist as soon as reasonably possible.
- If you or your child is experiencing any discomfort then please call us.
- In many cases the breakage can be fixed at the next scheduled visit however it’s best to call the practice for advice on your unique situation.
Foods To Limit During Treatment
- Sticky foods – pork crackling, toffee, liquorice
- Crunchy foods – crisps, popcorn, nuts (almonds)
- Hard foods – pizza crust, french bread, on-the-bone meat & chicken legs
- Food requiring the front teeth to rip into – apples, carrots, corn-on-the-cob
- Cut these food items up into small bite-size pieces
- Sweet foods – lollies, soft drinks
It is imperative that you attend regular appointments throughout your treatment to ensure optimal oral health.
Frequently asked questions
Do braces hurt?
Short answer: No. Getting braces on is entirely painless, however, you may experience mild discomfort in the 1-2 days following the initial placement of braces or after a major wire change. This discomfort may be managed with regular pain relief as you would for a headache.
How long does treatment take?
This depends on the severity of the problem and the treatment objectives. Treatment with functional appliances are usually for 6-9 months, tooth aligners (like Invisalign) can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, while traditional braces are anywhere between 12-24 months.
Who can have braces?
There is no age limit for wearing braces. We have some of our most successful and rewarding treatment outcomes with adult patients. The traditional age for braces are in early teens, which is primarily due to the bone growth occurring at this age.
Request an Appointment
Our orthodontists are here to help at any time during your orthodontic treatment.
or call us on (08) 8296 5683