Braces Care Pack

Separators

Separators make space between your back teeth so that your braces will fit more easily.

Here are four important points to note:

1. Discomfort
   Expect your teeth to be uncomfortable for about 2 days. Take a pain relieving tablet if you need to and eat soft food while your teeth are sore.

2. Toothbrushing
   Brush your teeth as you do normally. Your separators should stay in place. However, we suggest that you donÕt use dental floss.

3. Food
   DonÕt eat any sticky foods (eg lollies, chewing gum, toffee etc) as these will pull your separators out.

4. Lost Separators
   If your separators do come out, it may be harder to put your bands on. Please contact us if you lose any separators and we can decide if they need replacing. DonÕt worry if this happens in the last 24 hours before the braces are due to go on.

Elastics

Elastics are small rubber bands that provide the power to move your teeth into the best alignment with each other. Wear Them 24 Hours Per Day

Teeth move back towards their original positions unless the elastics are worn all day and night. If you take them out for eating, they must be replaced immediately afterwards.

Wearing your elastics less than full time will prolong the treatment time or prevent your teeth getting into the correct bite.

Replace Elastics Every Day

Change the elastics for new ones every day as they lose their elasticity after 24 hours in your mouth.

Carry Spare Elastics With You

Elastics occasionally break during the day so make sure you have spare ones with you at all times.

Problems?

If your elastic bands run out or get lost before the next appointment, call in and collect some more or ring us and we will send you a packet in the mail. If you canÕt remember how to fit them, call us for an extra appointment.

Discomfort

A mild amount of discomfort with wearing elastics for the first time is to be expected. For this reason we will give you light elastics to help your teeth adjust. Persevere with wearing them full time as most teeth just need time to get used to the pressure.

Flossing

To clean properly between your teeth you need to floss daily.

1 Take 50 to 70 cm of floss (or one thread of superfloss), and thread the floss under the wire (you may need to use a floss threader).

2 Hold the floss with your thumb and index fingers. Gently move the floss up and down the side of the teeth including sliding it up under the ÒtriangleÓ of gum on each side of the tooth.

3 Repeat for all of your teeth.

Removable Retainers

Today is the day you have been waiting for... Your braces are off and you have straight teeth and a nice smile!

You have now completed what your orthodontist calls the active treatment, but there is still one more step, retention. You are now going to wear a retainer which will hold your teeth in place until they become more stable in their new positions.

Teeth will continue to move throughout life. Wearing retainers now will hold them as straight as possible in the long term. If your retainers are going to work you must:

1. Wear them
   Wear your retainers as you have been instructed. This is usually close to full time night and day for the first 4-6 months, and then at night time for a further 12 months or more.

2. Keep retention appointments
   These are short appointments but necessary.

3. Don't lose or break your retainer
   Retainers are custom made for every individual. They are expensive and a fee will be charged to make you a new one. Whenever the retainer is not in your mouth it must be kept in the case provided. When taking the retainer out of your mouth, pull on the wire at the back of the retainer, never at the front.

4. Keep your retainer clean
   Clean all parts thoroughly but gently with your toothbrush. When at school, rinse it under a tap. If it needs to be disinfected, it can be placed in a weak bleach solution (one teaspoon to one cup of water).

5. Problems
   If you have any problems with the retainers, please phone the surgery as soon as possible.