Removable Braces
Your brace will feel strange and your speech will sound a little peculiar for a few days. It should return to normal quite quickly. The brace should be worn 24 hours a day - including your meals.

Sports :
Your dentist will advise you if the brace should be worn for vigorous sports such as rugby, soccer, judo, karate and swimming. Put the brace back in your mouth immediately after the sporting activity has stopped. The brace only works while it is in your mouth.
When it is out of your mouth place it in the rigid plastic box provided. Do not put it loose in your pocket.

Breakages and Problems :
Should these occur for whatever reason, please telephone the surgery as soon as possible. Frequent delays/breakages prolong your treatment and make a good result unlikely.

Toothbrushing :
The brace and your teeth must be cleaned after every meal including any snacks. Food left around the teeth will cause decay and inflamed gums. The brace cannot cause these problems - only food and plaque trapped around the teeth will. Therefore a toothbrush must be taken to school.

General care :
The brace is quite strong but can be broken by hard, sticky and chewy foods and these should be avoided. - for example Mars bars, toffees, chewing gum and crusty things like toast and crusty bread. Any food that contains sugar will cause decay. The brace will trap more food than usual around your teeth.

Be careful not to bend the wires when you take your brace out of your mouth or put it back in. Do not remove the brace by pulling on the fine springs.

Please note that whilst orthodontic braces will be repaired free of charge, under existing Health Service Regulations loss of the appliance may necessitate a charge to the patient or parent/guardian.