When your brace is fitted, your Orthodontic clinician will explain to you exactly how to look after it. It’s important that you regularly clean your teeth and your braces, to keep them working efficiently, to prevent breakages and to keep your teeth healthy. If you’ve got any questions about the ongoing care and maintenance of your braces, read on below:
How to look after fixed braces
Your fixed brace provides food and plaque with more places to hide, so you’ll need to pay extra attention to your oral hygiene routine. You will need to ideally brush after every meal to remove any small pieces of food that can get trapped in your brace.
When you’re wearing fixed braces or lingual braces you should be brushing your teeth three times a day. We recommend that you carry a toothbrush with you at all times, and use an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash every evening, at a separate time to brushing, to protect your teeth from decay.
If you don’t keep your teeth and brace clean, you can end up with permanent, irreversible marking on your teeth – not what you want after all that time getting them lovely and straight!
We also recommend that you see a hygienist more regularly and your general dentist for regular check-ups throughout your treatment.
How to look after removable braces
Looking after removable braces is simple. Remove your brace carefully with gentle pressure, and when you are not wearing your brace keep it in its protective box. (We recommend always putting them back in their case so that you don’t accidentally throw them away in a napkin or on the food tray!)
To keep your removable brace clean soak it in a retainer cleaning solution once a week. (Retainerbrite is good, or Invisalign the cleaning crystals). You can also clean them with a spare toothbrush and non-abrasive soap & cool water, but don’t use toothpaste to clean your brace. This is important, as it will cause microscopic scratches which will be uncomfortable on your soft tissues and they can also change how transparent they are!
Please resist the temptation to play with your brace whilst you’re wearing it, as this may cause it to weaken and break. If you do experience any problems, make an appointment to see us as soon as possible, but in the meantime try to continue wearing your brace.
How to look after twin block braces
To keep your twin block brace clean, soak both parts in a retainer cleaning solution once a week. You can also clean it with a spare toothbrush with soap and cool water. Don’t use toothpaste to clean your brace. (As per the above, but this is more of a comfort thing than stain thing! )
Please avoid “clicking” your twin block brace in and out repeatedly with your tongue as this will cause it to weaken and break. It can fast become a habit, so try to not do it from the start. If you do experience any problems please make an appointment to see us as soon as possible. In the meantime try to continue wearing your brace.
How to look after fixed retainers
It is important that you keep the areas around your fixed retainers clean. We recommend using an interdental brush or orthodontic dental floss to clean between your front teeth and underneath your fixed retainers. We also advise you to see your dentist or hygienist regularly for a professional clean.
How to look after removable retainers
When your retainers are not being worn, please keep them in their protective box. To keep your retainers clean, soak them in a retainer cleaning solution once a week for 20 minutes. You can also clean them with a spare toothbrush and soap and water. Don’t use toothpaste to clean your retainers and don’t put them in hot water (including the dishwasher! – Yes, people have done that in the past), as this will cause them to lose their shape.
If you would like any more information on the above, just get in touch and we’ll be happy to help!