Visiting our practice | Orthodontists | Shepparton

What to expect when you have braces

Banding appointment
Discomfort
Ulcers
Sport
Cleaning your braces
Diet
Appointment schedule
Dental checkups
Emergencies or problems

Banding appointment
Your "braces on" appointment takes about an hour.  We recommend eating beforehand as you will have to wait for the cement to set after your braces are placed.  The orthodontist and dental auxiliary will gently clean your teeth, remove your separators and place your appliances. This is a painless procedure and every step is explained as we go.

Discomfort
While it is painless to have your braces placed; it is common to feel some initial discomfort 24-48 hours after your banding appointment or the wire is changed.  The process of bone remodeling relies on inflammation, and so it can be a little sore.  It is Nature's sign that the teeth are moving. Your normal pain reliever can be used to help, if ok with your parents.

Cheek ulcers
Brackets and wires will initially feel rough until your mouth gets used to the new appliances.  A small number of patients may get ulcers.  Our team of dental assistants will show you how to use orthodontic wax to cover any rough areas.

Sport
A remouldable mouthguard will be supplied if you play contact sport to protect your teeth, lips, cheeks and braces. You will be shown how to remould it as your teeth change position.

Cleaning your teeth
It is very important to clean your teeth well with braces on!

1. Use any fluoride toothpaste and a soft, small-headed toothbrush.
2. Start next to the gums above the bracket; use a small circular motion spending about 10 seconds/circles on each tooth.  The electric toothbrush does the circular motion itself.
3. Clean below the brackets, with the same motion as above
4. Clean the chewing surface, with the same motion as above
5. Clean the inside (tongue) surface of your teeth.
6. Use the spiral (Interdental) toothbrush to clean between the brackets the area which cannot be reached by your toothbrush, jiggle it up and down a few times on each side of the bracket touching tooth and gum.
7. Rinse well with water and check in the mirror.
8. Brushing your teeth and gums, Morning and Night will keep them clean, healthy and decay free.

Diet
Broken brackets and wires can make your treatment time longer. To avoid this, follow these points:

• If a food is harder than a banana; cut it up into smaller pieces.
• Avoid lollies, hard or sticky foods that can break your brackets, bend the wire and encourage decay.
• Avoid soft drinks, sports drinks, cordials and fruit juices.  Plain water and milk are the ideal for dental health.
• Try not to bite fingernails or open drink bottles with your teeth.

Appointment schedule
We really appreciate you being on time for your appointment.  We aim to run on time to keep the practice running smoothly.  Occasionally, we may run late to fit in emergency appointments.

Your regular appointments will be scheduled every 6-10 weeks and are short.  Longer appointments are needed for the initial consultation; when the braces are placed or when appliances are removed.

Our reception staff will try to give you an appointment that best suits your needs, however, as most of our patients are school age we usually cannot schedule all appointments after school time.

Dental visits
Orthodontists concentrate on moving teeth and we don't necessarily look for or see dental decay. It is important that you have regular check-ups with your general dentist every six months even during orthodontic treatment.