Do I still need to see my regular dentist?

REMEMBER
Yes. It will be important you still have
check-ups with your regular dentist
throughout orthodontic treatment so that
your teeth can be checked for decay.
What do I do if I play contact sports?
You should wear a gumshield instead of
PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET
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least twice each day. REMOVABLE
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mouthrinse once every day. APPLIANCES
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between meals and at bedtime.

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your removable brace when you play  $YRLGIL]]\GULQNV

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contact sports. This will also be the case  $YRLGKDUGVWLFN\DQGFKHZ\ 

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if you take part in activities requiring a sweets and foods.

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protective helmet e.g. roller-blading,
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skateboarding and horse riding. Remove
regularly.

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the brace for swimming as well.

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When not in your mouth, the brace  7UHDWPHQWZLOOXVXDOO\WDNH

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should be kept in a protective box. months.

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Ask your orthodontist for further advice.  <RXZLOOQHHGWRZHDUUHWDLQHUVIRU

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some time after your treatment
What if I play a musical instrument?

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finishes.

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If you play a wind instrument, particularly

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may be advised to remove the brace I lose it?

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whilst playing. However, when the brace Ring up for an appointment as soon as is

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is not in your mouth it should be kept in a reasonably possible. Do not wait for your

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protective box to prevent breakage. You next routine appointment as the breakage

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can discuss this further with your music may slow your treatment or it may result

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teacher and orthodontist. Download the in damage to your teeth. If you repeatedly

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advice sheet on this subject from the BOS break your brace, your treatment may be

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website (www.bos.org.uk). stopped early.

The daytime telephone number you

should contact if a breakage occurs is:

Tel..

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BRITISH ORTHODONTIC SOCIETY
Copyright BOS reprinted 2012 British Orthodontic Society 12 Bridewell Place London EC4V 6AP Registered Charity No 1073464 www.bos.org.uk
Now that you have a removable brace
(appliance) you may have some
questions you would like answered.
For more information about Orthodontics,
please visit: www.bos.org.uk
Will it be painful?
It is likely to be sore for about 3 - 5 days
each time the brace is adjusted. If
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necessary, painkillers such as the ones
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you would normally take for a headache,
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should help - please read the instructions
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on the packet. If there is an obvious area
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of soreness due to the brace, ring for an
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appointment as soon as possible - see
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telephone number overleaf. Dont stop
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wearing the brace or you will have a
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further 3 - 5 days of discomfort when you
start wearing it again. If it is really too
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uncomfortable, wear the brace for 2 hours
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before your next visit and show the
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orthodontist where it is rubbing.
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How else might it affect me?
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Practice speaking with the brace in place
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e.g. read out aloud at home on your own.
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In this way, your speech will return to
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normal within a couple of days.
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To begin with you may produce more
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saliva and have to swallow more than
normal. This is quite normal and will
quickly pass in a couple of days.
A removable brace on the top teeth
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Can I eat normally? Sugary snacks/drinks and poor cleaning
Yes, you should be able to eat normally. of your teeth and brace will lead to
It is important you keep the brace in whilst permanent damage to your teeth as
eating unless you are otherwise instructed. shown in the picture below.
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with the brace in place will become easier
with time. After each meal, remove the
brace and clean/rinse it thoroughly.
For your orthodontic treatment to work
well and in the shortest possible time, it is
important that you take care of your teeth
and brace.
In order to avoid damage to both, you should:
x Avoid sugary snacks/drinks between
Damage caused by the brace due to
meals and at bedtime.
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x Avoid sticky, chewy or hard sweets,
mints and sugared chewing gum.
x $YRLG]]\GULQNVLQFOXGLQJGLHW Can I remove the brace?
drinks) and large amounts of fruit juice. Yes, but you should only remove it for
x Hard or chewy foods - such as apples, cleaning. Do not repeatedly click the
carrots and crusty bread - can damage brace in and out with your tongue as
your brace. Avoid them or cut them up this will break the wires and increase the
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length of time the treatment will take.
What about tooth brushing?
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It is important that you brush your teeth
well for at least 3 minutes, twice a day. It usually takes 6-12 months but will vary
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carry a brush with you for use after lunch. <RXPD\QHHGWRSURJUHVVRQWRD[HG
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Take the brace out to clean your teeth. and cancelled appointments or repeated
You should also gently clean the brace
breakages of the brace will increase the
with a toothbrush and toothpaste over a
sink of water, taking care not to damage length of time the treatment will take.
the wires.
How often will I need an appointment?
To further protect the teeth, use an You will need regular appointments
DOFRKROIUHHXRULGHPRXWKULQVHGDLO\ (usually every 4-5 weeks) during
at a different time to when you brush
treatment for the brace to be adjusted.
your teeth. Avoid eating or rinsing for 20
minutes after using it.