Discomfort
Your brace may feel strange to begin with and it may rub your lips or cheeks. But this will ease off and you’ll soon get used to wearing the brace.
To help with aches and pain take the same medicine that you would for a headache (follow the directions for use). If the brace is still sore after a week, ring for an appointment.
Speech
You may find your speech is different at first but this will improve after a few days. Practice at home on your own and read aloud with your brace in. You may produce more saliva than usual and have to swallow more. This will quickly pass.
Wearing your brace
Wear your brace all the time. If it’s not worn correctly, the treatment will not work.
Only remove your brace:
- to eat or drink
- to clean your teeth and brace
- when you play contact sports such as rugby (wear a mouthguard instead)
- when you take part in activities that require a protective helmet such as roller-blading, skateboarding and horse riding
- for swimming
- while you play a brass or wind instrument
- Keep the brace in a protective box when it’s not in your mouth.
Eating and drinking
Remove your brace to eat and drink (except water).
Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods. Remember to cut up foods such as apples and carrots. Avoid sticky, chewy or hard sweets, mints and sugared chewing gum.
Only drink plain milk or plain water between meals to avoid tooth decay. Do not drink any fizzy drinks (including diet or sugar-free drinks). Do not drink any sports drinks. Avoid fruit juices and smoothies between meals.
Cleaning your teeth and brace
Remove the brace to clean your teeth.
Brush your teeth and gums with fluoride toothpaste twice a day. Use an electric or manual toothbrush.
Use a mouthwash that contains fluoride once a day to help prevent tooth decay. Use mouthwash at a different time of day to brushing, such as after lunch.
Clean your brace twice a day with a separate toothbrush. Brush your brace with toothpaste and cold water. You can also use brace/denture-cleaning tablets (follow the directions for use).
Your brace will break if you drop it. Clean it over a bowl or sink filled with water.
Habits
Do not bite your fingernails or chew pens. This can damage the brace, your teeth and gums.
Breakages
Please ring the department as soon as possible on 01228 814225 if your brace is broken. Do not wait for your next appointment. You may be charged a fee to repair/replace your brace if you lose or carelessly break it. The cost is £50.00 per brace.
Appointments
You’ll need regular appointments (usually every 8-10 weeks) to adjust the brace. Missed or cancelled appointments and repeated breakages will make your treatment take longer. Continue to see your regular dentist during treatment.
Look after your teeth and brace! Otherwise, your brace may be removed early even if treatment is not complete.
Useful websites
British Orthodontic Society – Patient Information Leaflets
Contact details
Orthodontic Department
Cumberland Infirmary
Newton Road
Carlisle
CA2 7HY
Call 01228 814225
Confidentiality
‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.
For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:
Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961
Feedback
We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:
pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818
If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:
complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302