FAQS

How can I book an appointment?

You can book an appointment quickly and easily by clicking our online booking button or by calling 01483 495 303. Please make sure that you either choose the “New Patients” tab or the “Existing Patients” tab to ensure that your appointment comes through to us correctly.

How do I look after my fixed braces?

How should I clean my brace?      Food debris should be removed after each meal, by tooth brushing, and a thorough cleaning done in the morning and before going to bed. You must pay particular attention to the area of tooth between the bracket and the gum. Failure to keep this sort of appliance spotlessly clean can lead to decay and gum disease.

What Foods can I eat?      These appliances are delicate and will distort with very hard foods such as boiled sweets, or very sticky foods such as toffees. These sorts of foods should be avoided during treatment. Apples, carrots etc. should be cut up before eating.

What can I drink?        Care should be taken to avoid drinking acidic drinks between meals, to avoid dissolving the tooth mineral substance. This includes fizzy drinks and also fruit juice .If acidic drinks are consumed, they should be kept to a minimum and taken with meals, then the mouth rinsed with water and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing.   Milk and Water are best. Dilute sugar free squash and tea without sugar are also acceptable.

What else should I do to care for my teeth/braces?      We recommend the use of a daily fluoride mouthwash, to be used at bedtime after brushing.

What happens if I break it?       Should breakage occur it is important that you contact your orthodontist immediately. It may be necessary for you to be seen in order to prevent your treatment from being disrupted.

Will it be uncomfortable?       For the first one or two days you may find that you get a little discomfort but this should soon wear off. You may take your normal painkillers if you need them. Very often patients have no trouble at all after the appliance has been fitted.

What happens when my braces come off?       When active treatment is complete it will be necessary to hold the teeth in their new positions until the roots have settled and the bone is hard. This usually means wearing retainers. They are worn full time to start with and then wear is reduced.   Recent evidence shows that retainers should be worn for an extended period of time as teeth move throughout life.

Can my teeth move afterwards?       Perfect teeth are not always achieved. The aim is to produce a substantial improvement. There may be some relapse of the teeth towards the original position or a little crowding due to growth changes in the face. This can be prevented by wearing retainers.

How do I look after my Implant?

While a dental implant can’t decay like a natural tooth can, it is at risk of gum disease if not looked after correctly. It is important to brush, floss and Tepe around and in between your implant and natural teeth, twice a day. Your dental hygienist will show you exactly how to and will help you keep it plaque free and healthy!