Orthodontics

Initially, full-time wear of your retainers is critical because the bone and muscles are adjusting to the new positions of your teeth. You must wear your retainers essentially for 24 hours a day for the first 6 months and only remove them for eating, drinking and cleaning. Then you would have to wear them every night for another 6 months.

In the long term, it is advisable that you continue to wear your retainers for at least 2 nights or more a week forever! If you do not follow this instruction, there is no guarantee that your teeth will remain beautifully straight. The responsibility is yours!

Where to store and keep retainers clean?

Once you have been given your retainers, it is best to buy a retainer box for you to keep them in when you are not using them. Never wrap them up in tissue, as they could potentially get lost! If you have a pet dog, you must place them out of reach as, believe it or not, they like the smell of them and tend to chew it! When cleaning your retainers at night, you must clean them gently with a small soft toothbrush and cold water! Or you could buy a product called retainer brite, which is available at the practice.

Small wires are glued to the inner surfaces of the upper/lower anterior teeth. These types of retainers are normally prescribed by your orthodontist and can be fixed onto the teeth forever. If, however, you would like them removed, please book an appointment with the orthodontist to remove them. It is essential that they are kept clean, and a hygienist visit is recommended to keep them well-maintained to prevent tartar buildup.

Having fixed retainers does not remove the need to wear your removable retainers. It does mean extra security, especially if you lose or damage your removable retainers.

During the first few days, your speech may be affected. This is temporary and should not last longer than 2 weeks of continuous wear. Rarely, there may be some discomfort on the inside of your mouth. However, this is temporary. If there is persistent irritation, you can contact your surgeon.

Yes, except when you eat, when you play contact sports, when you clean your teeth, and when you play wind instruments. The wear of the appliances may be reduced over time, but only when your orthodontist has instructed. If you do not wear your retainers as advised, your teeth will relapse.

The cleanliness of the appliance is essential. You can use a toothbrush with COLD water (DO NOT use hot/boiling water as this will distort the retainer and will need replacing at a charge) to clean your brace before wearing it again; we advise against using toothpaste as this is abrasive and can wear the retainer down. You can also immerse the appliance in a cleaning solution such as ‘Retainer Brite’ for a few minutes occasionally.

You must keep your appliances safe whilst not wearing them to avoid breakages (in a hard case, which you can purchase from our reception). Breakages of your appliance may result in a relapse of your teeth; therefore, you will need to contact your surgery ASAP should you break or lose your retainer. If the retainer cannot be fixed, there may be a charge for replacing the appliance.

Yes, but you must avoid foods with high sugar content, acidic drinks and fizzy drinks.

Please do not hesitate to contact the practice on 01883 712 201 to arrange an emergency appointment.

Initially, full-time wear of your retainers is critical because the bone and muscles are adjusting to the new positions of your teeth. You must wear your retainers essentially for 24 hours a day for the first 6 months and only remove them for eating, drinking and cleaning. Then you would have to wear them every night for another 6 months.

In the long term, it is advisable that you continue to wear your retainers for at least 2 nights or more a week forever! If you do not follow this instruction, there is no guarantee that your teeth will remain beautifully straight. The responsibility is yours!

Once you have been given your retainers, it is best to buy a retainer box to keep them in when you are not using them. Never wrap them up in tissue, as they could potentially get lost! If you have a pet dog, you must place them out of reach as, believe it or not, they like the smell of them and tend to chew it! When cleaning your retainers at night, you must clean them gently with a small soft toothbrush and cold water! Or, you could buy a retainer brite product available at reception.

(Small wires glued to inner surfaces of the upper/lower anterior teeth). These retainers are normally prescribed by your orthodontist and can be fixed onto the teeth forever. If, however, you would like them removed, please book an appointment with the orthodontist to remove them. They must be kept clean, and a hygienist visit is recommended to keep them well-maintained to prevent tartar buildup.

Please be aware, as written in your contract of treatment, that there will be a charge of £71.11 for pre-appliance for broken and lost retainers. Please also note that after being discharged by the orthodontist a year after the NHS retention, £100 will have to be paid for repairs or replacements of removable retainers. To replace the fixed retainers, they are £200 each.

If you have any enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the practice.

YES! Orthodontic treatment will not normally begin unless you clean your teeth properly.

In fixed orthodontic appliance treatment, the brackets are more difficult to clean; therefore, it is extremely important to care for your fixed brace by carefully brushing it and having a sensible diet.

To facilitate the cleaning of your teeth and gums, use a small-headed toothbrush. Manual or electric, but always use ‘bottle’ brushes (Tepes) to clean the underwire.

• Rinse thoroughly with mouthwash.
• Start at the top between the wire and gums. Press firmly enough so that the bristles spread into the gaps between the teeth. Move the brush head thoroughly but gently around all the teeth. Repeat the same process on the other side of the wire.
• Now clean all the inside surfaces (tongue side) of the teeth in the same way.
• Last of all, clean the tops of the teeth under the wire with the bottle brush.

Eat sensibly when wearing a brace. Avoid hard or sticky food such as:

• Pizza.
• Chewing Gum.
• Toffees.
• Hard Mints.
• Hard Crusts.
• Whole Carrots.
• Biting into apples.

These may break and bend the wires, and this will slow down treatment and will delay it by an average of 2 months.

Also, avoid the following:

• Fizzy Drinks.
• Acidic Drinks.
• Sugary Drinks.
• Fruit Juices.
• Sweets.
• Sugar.

They can dissolve surface enamel. This will cause permanent damage to teeth.

Permanent damage to the tooth enamel can occur if the teeth and brackets are not kept clean. The enamel will decalcify, leaving unsightly white marks.

Remember to:

• Brush thoroughly but gently after every meal, even snacks with fluoride toothpaste.
• Take your toothbrush to school, college, university or workplace if needed.
• Rinse your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash twice a day.
• See the hygienist regularly.

Essix retainers should be worn for a minimum of 12 hours a day. Apart from eating and brushing your teeth, you should wear the retainer as instructed by your dentist.

Cleanliness of the retainer is essential. You can clean with a toothbrush with COLD water (DO NOT use hot/boiling water as this will distort the retainer and need to be replaced at a charge). You can also immerse the appliance in a cleaning solution such as ‘Retainer Brite’ for a few minutes.

You must keep your appliances safe whilst not wearing them to avoid breakages (in a hard case, which you can purchase from our reception). Breakages of your appliance may result in the movement of your teeth. Therefore, you must contact your surgeon ASAP should you break or lose your retainer

Yes, but you must avoid foods with high sugar content, acidic drinks and fizzy drinks.