Who they suit
Metal braces work for most bites, including severe crowding. Teenagers often choose them because the brackets stand up to knocks.
They are also the option to ask about if you want something you cannot lose or forget to wear.
Your first week
Your teeth will feel tender for a few days. Stick to soft food like rice, soup and yoghurt.
The brackets can rub your cheeks at first. We will give you orthodontic wax to press over any sharp spot.
If a wire pokes your cheek, cover it with wax and call us.
Keeping them clean
Food collects around brackets, and plaque there can leave white marks on your teeth.
- Brush after each meal
- Use a small interdental brush under the wire
- Book regular cleaning visits
What to avoid
Hard nuts and sticky sweets can break a bracket. Cut apples and carrots into small pieces.
Avoid chewing on pens or ice.
When they come off
Your dentist removes the brackets and polishes your teeth. You then wear a retainer so your teeth stay where they are.
Wearing elastics
Your orthodontist may ask you to wear small elastic bands hooked between the top and bottom braces. They pull the jaws into a better bite.
Wear them for as many hours as you are told. Skipping them is a common reason treatment runs over time.
Sport and music
Wear a mouthguard for football, martial arts and other contact sports. Ask us which kind fits over braces.
If you play a wind instrument, expect a few weeks of getting used to it. Orthodontic wax over the brackets can help.
Quick fixes at home
- A wire poking your cheek: press wax over the end and call us
- A loose bracket: keep it, avoid chewing on it and book a repair
- Sore teeth after an adjustment: soft food and your usual pain relief for a day or two
Call the clinic straight away if you injure your mouth.
Adjustment visits
Most visits are short. Your orthodontist checks progress, changes the wire or ties and looks at your cleaning.
We open from 9 AM to 9 PM every day, so you can book around school or work.
Who plans your braces
Our consultant orthodontist, Dr J Ashok, plans metal braces treatment at the clinic. Dr Ashok has 33 years of experience.
Travelling during treatment
Tell us before a long trip so we can time your adjustment around it. Pack wax, a travel toothbrush and small interdental brushes.
If a bracket comes loose while you are away, keep it and book a repair for when you are back. Call us if a wire is cutting your cheek.