What To Do

• Functional Appliance Instructions
• The brace MUST be worn for a minimum of 22 hours a day, as close to 24 hours a day as possible in order to work.
• You should only remove your braces for eating and cleaning your teeth. If left out for longer then this, any progress made previously will be lost and your treatment time will be longer.
• Please keep your braces safe. There is a charge to replace the brace (per part) and will cost you over £130 to replace. When the brace is not in the mouth, it should be placed in a protective box that can be purchased from reception for £2. Please contact the surgery if you lose or break your brace.
• NO chocolate, sweets, mints, toffees, chewing gum, fizzy drinks etc should be consumed whilst wearing the brace. Water, milk and sugar free squash are best to drink. Too much sugar in your diet can lead to permanent damage to your teeth.
• Avoid any hard foods such as apples, crusty breads/pizzas whilst wearing the brace.
• Brush morning, night and after everything you have to eat. Remove the brace to clean your teeth and clean it with your toothbrush and toothpaste. Insufficient cleaning of your brace and teeth will lead to permanent damage.
• Retainerbrite is an additional cleaning solution available from reception which can be used once a week. This helps to keep the appliance clean. This is £6.50 a box.
• You may experience some discomfort when the brace is fitted or adjusted. It is also normal to feel a little aching in your jaw muscles, if you need to you can take painkillers which you would normally take for a headache.
• Do not repeatedly click the brace in and out with your tongue. When not in position the brace is not working and this will extend your treatment time.
• Your speech will be affected at first, but the more you speak out loud with the brace in the quicker you will get used to it. You may also find you produce more saliva at first which will settle down after a few days.
• You must continue to see your dentist regularly throughout your treatment with us.