How to look after your fixed braces from your Orthodontist

13 Dec 2024

If you have fixed braces now, or even if you (or a friend or family member) have gappy or crowded teeth that you would like to improve, then this article might help you understand how important it is to maintain healthy and happy gums and teeth by regularly brushing your teeth and drinking water rather than fizzy drinks at meal times and in between meals.

It is so important to take good care of your teeth, and so here is a gentle reminder of how to look after your teeth without braces but even more so if you have your fixed braces in place.

Maintain your healthy teeth

Avoid sweets, sugar, sugary foods and sweet, fizzy drinks (including sugar-free and low-calorie type) between meals (which can dissolve surface enamel and cause permanent damage to teeth)

Rinse your mouth with water after every meal

Brush thoroughly twice a day, using a fluoride toothpaste

(If advised by me, use a fluoride rinse once a day, ideally at a different time from brushing your teeth)

Attend your dental health check ups regularly

Avoid hard and sticky foods such as sweets and hard mints, hard crusts and whole raw carrots (which may break or bend wires and slow down your treatment)

How to brush your teeth with fixed braces

Clean your teeth and gums with a small headed toothbrush.

1 Start brushing between the wire and gums. Press firmly enough so that the bristles spread into the gaps between your teeth. Move the brush head around all the teeth. Repeat the same process on the other side of the wire.

2 Clean all the inside surfaces of your teeth, in the same way.

3 Clean the top parts of your teeth and rinse with water after brushing.

Frequently asked questions about your braces

1 Why is it so important to look after my teeth and braces?

Everyone’s saliva contains millions of bacteria. These bacteria stick to the surfaces of the teeth and form a layer call plaque.

Plaque is a soft, colourless substance which is difficult to see until the coating is quite thick. It collects on the surfaces of your teeth mainly, next to the gums and between the teeth.

Plaque causes tooth decay and gum disease.

2 Do I need to clean my teeth?

You will not have braces fitted unlesss you clean your teeth effectively. When braces are fixed to your teeth permanently, the brackets are more difficult to clean. So it is very important to care for your braces by careful brushing as well as rinsing and eating sensible foods.

3 What happens if I don’t clean my teeth properly?

You could cause permanent damage if your teeth and brackets are not kept clean. The enamel that makes your teeth strong could be damaged, leaving unsightly white marks.

4 What happens if the appliance rubs my mouth?

You can buy dental wax from your |Orthodontist at the practice if you experience rubbing. Take a small piece, and rub it between your finger and thumb to soften it. It should then be applied to the part of the appliance that is rubbing you.

Your mouth usually adapts to the appliance after a day or two and any discomfort is usually temporary. After fitting, or after any adjustments, it is not unusual to experience a little discomfort.

In both cases above, the correct dose of painkillers is recommended. Please always read the instructions on the packet. If you are under 18, never take any medicines without first discussing it with your parent or guardian).

If any discomfort persists for more than a few days, contact your Orthodontist at the practice immediately on 0161 969 7464.

5 Can I play sports?

If you play contact sports, ride your bike or go skateboarding, always wear a gum shield. You will need a special one to go over your fixed braces.

6 What if my braces break?

If you break your appliance, this is likely to increase the length of your treatment. In addition, you will need an extra visit to have the appliance repaired, which will result in further cost and time spent at the dentist, while they are being fixed. It is better to be careful!

We hope that the information above is useful to you.

If you have any further questions or are concerned about your teeth or braces, please call us on 0161 969 7464.

Best wishes

The Sale Dental Team

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4.8

Sale Dental Spa

4.8

Mota Alsead

12:39 26 Mar 25

I’ve had a great experience with Sale Dental Spa since joining. Everything has been smooth and efficient, from booking appointments to receiving treatment. The service is professional, and the team ensures a hassle-free process at every step.A special mention to Phoebe, who has been incredibly quick and professional in responding to emails. Her prompt assistance and clear communication have made the experience even better.Highly recommend this practice for anyone looking for reliable and efficient dental care!

Paul Hopkins

21:48 19 Mar 25

Both the dentist, Sabeer and dental nurse were friendly and very reassuring helping me to feel relaxed and confident about the treatment - a root filling. They are thoroughly professional and efficient and the treatment was carried out exactly as previously explained. Overall I was very happy.

Mi Riam

13:05 01 Mar 25

I had an amazing experience at Sale Dental Spa.From my first interaction on Instagram until my actual treatment, I experienced top class, very friendly and professional staff!I had composite bonding done on my lower front teeth by the fantastic Nadia. I am extremely happy and satisfied with the result of my treatment!I highly recommend Sale Dental Spa!!!

Valentina Nicolaou

11:38 21 Feb 25

Great job from Damini and Zahra this morning. Very friendly, kind and polite as always. They both looked after me really well and exlpained every step of the procedure thoroughly. They made sure I was feeling comfortable with everything. Amazing experience. Thank you ladies. 🫶I highly recommend this dental practice.

Natasha Jade Wilde

21:52 11 Feb 25

I cannot recommend Sale Dental Spa enough. From day one. every single staff member has been friendly, polite and kind. It’s so nice to walk in somewhere and be greeted by your name, rather than a typical transactional experience.As someone who has been anxious about the dentist my whole life, I couldn’t be more grateful to Dr Hamza. He has consistently made me feel so relaxed, kept me informed on what was happening and made the experience enjoyable.I love my new teeth so much; I can’t stop smiling! I wouldn’t go anywhere else! Thank you 🌟

Hasan Abdul-Wahad

10:16 20 Dec 24

I recently visited Sale Dental Spa for a full checkup, including X-rays and a hygiene/cleaning with Damini, and the experience was excellent. The process was quick, smooth, and thorough. Damini and Zahra were both incredibly friendly and made me feel completely at ease. The clinic is welcoming and professional, and I left feeling well cared for.Credit to Dr. Aisha for curating this wonderful clinic - your efforts are appreciated.Highly recommend!

Lauryn Wood

20:04 18 Dec 24

I had my first hygienist appointment with Damini today and she was so lovely and put me at ease straight away! I would highly reccomend, she talked me through the process and gave me advice on what I should do next to perfect my brushing routine at home! I have my next hygienist appointment already booked in, thank you Damini!

Laura Vernon

18:26 13 Nov 24

In May I decided to take action on my oral health and came here to have a consultation to see just what work I needed, knowing I’d need a fair amount so I scheduled an appointment online and was booked in with Hamza.From the beginning he’s been really helpful, kind and professional - knowing I was extremely nervous at the start he worked out a dental plan for me and talked me through it making sure I understood the issues and impact if I was to decide not to fix soon. I never felt pressured he always was clear about how I could schedule the treatment whenever I’m ready so always felt comfortable and armed with the information needed to make decisions on my treatment.It’s 7 months later and I’ve had 3 sessions of work with 2 more to go, I can honestly say that Hamza is passionate about his work and I can tell he’s a perfectionist. He won’t ever rush the work and will clearly state the steps he’s taking when you’re in the chair and can’t talk, i feel like I’ve learnt so much about my teeth - I’m never left wondering about any of it or what the next session will entail which I love. He stops if I make any signal that I’m in discomfort and is keen to make sure I’m ok throughout.I’ve always dreaded the dentist but now I really don’t, Hamza and his assistant Zara are always so pleasant, calming and caring and as weird as it sounds I’m always so relaxed in that dentist chair which are words I never thought I’d say!I do recommend this place, facilities are nice and clean.

Daniel Hamblett

12:08 06 Nov 24

Damini gave me two fillings she was very professional gentle and gave me good advice great service excellent

Sara Woods

23:06 04 Nov 24

Had emergency this morning. The receptionist was very friendly and very helpful. Dentist saw me within 15 minutes of arrival after making room to fit me in. Very satisfied with treatment. Staff go above and beyond to help and made me feel very comfortable

Nasser Latif

13:18 28 Oct 24

I recently had a tooth extraction completed by Dr Mirza and had a very positive experience. He made me feel very comfortable and I had no pain after the procedure, so I would highly recommend Dr Mirza for any dental work you might need.

Amanda Hall

14:34 23 Oct 24

Sabeer, Rachel and Mandi are the Root-Canal dream team! They made my lengthy and complicated re-root canal procedure, not only tolerable and manageable, but we really had some laughs along the way! I would highly recommend them not just for their excellent expertise, but for sensitive handling of a nervous patient. Thank you.

Rebecca Jewitt

11:50 23 Oct 24

Booked in for the airflow treatment with Damini - and it was fantastic! She explained everything beforehand really nice and my smile looks super bright. Thank you so much! Would highly recommend.

Essa Arshad

09:36 16 Oct 24

Felt very welcomed at Sale Dental today where I attended my appointment with Damini and Nurse Bella. She is very knowledgeable and friendly and would highly recommend to others. Will be visiting her again in 3 months! Thank you

Yali Alemz

18:50 12 Oct 24

I had a fantastic experience with the whitening treatment . The staff was friendly and professional, making the whole process comfortable. I’m thrilled with the results—my smile has never looked better! Highly recommend!”

Cristina Sirbu

08:25 10 Oct 24

I recently completed Invisalign and composite bonding, and I'm thrilled with the results! The staff was friendly and professional, making the entire process comfortable. The Invisalign treatment completed by Dr Aisha was effective and easy to manage, and the composite bonding completed by Nadia turned out beautifully, enhancing my smile perfectly. I highly recommend this dental practice for anyone looking for orthodontic or cosmetic treatments. Thank you for such excellent care!

Stuart Bunyan

10:35 09 Oct 24

I've been a patient of Sale Dental Spanish for over 20 years. Always received the best of treatment and today's Hygienist appointment with Damini was no different. My teeth and mouth feel incredibly clean and fresh.Over the years Sale Dental Spanish have always been about preventative maintenance and their advice and treatment is second to none.

claire weadock

19:34 01 Jul 24

Excellent experience from start to finish at Sale dental spa today. A very warm welcome at reception from Vittoria and the best hygiene appointment with Zainab and Bella putting me at ease and giving a very comfortable treatment despite me being nervous. Would highly recommend.

Tom Harkinson

11:08 01 Jul 24

Sale Dental Spa and their staff consistently provide top-quality dental care. I have been coming to this dentist for 5+ years and you get the same level of attention to detail every single appointment. I would highly recommend Nadia & Rach to anyone seeking a comfortable and relaxing hygienist appointment. Nadia is extremely professional and takes the time to explain each step in detail, making sure I understand. Hamza provides a top-notch check up appointment which is never rushed. He is highly knowledgeable and I appreciate the personal care he provides.

Alex Sullivan

11:23 04 Jun 24

After working myself up about attending my hygienist appointment, I couldn't be happier with my experience and the results. Shumalia and Zara were super friendly and welcoming. They made me feel at ease, and the service they provided was fantastic! No pain felt at all, and they were super helpful. Thank you for today!

Adriene Tolliday

05:17 27 Apr 24

You won’t get a better service than what the team at Sale dental spa provide, they are all fantastic. I have just finished my 16 month Invisalign treatment, finished with composite bonding and the transformation has given me my confidence back. Huge thankyou to Aisha and Yalda you are amazing at perfecting those smiles.

Samantha Duckworth

14:08 18 Apr 24

I have recently completed my Invisalign treatment and had composite bonding on 8 of my teeth. I highly recommend Dr Aisha and everyone at Sale dental Spa. I am so happy with the results, my teeth are absolutely perfect and can’t stop smiling. Dr Aisha and her team are true artist at what they do, everything is perfect and done with such care. I would definitely recommend to anyone considering the treatments I am so happy with the results. Thank you to everyone at Sale Dental Spa.

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How to look after your fixed braces from your Orthodontist