Do I have to have braces?

No, not if you don't want to. If you are happy with the appearance and function of your teeth then you don't have to have any treatment you don’t wish to.


Will my braces hurt?

Having your braces fitted does not hurt. However when the braces start to move your teeth, your teeth can be uncomfortable and tender to bite on for up to 4-5 days. This can be overcome by any painkiller that you would usually take to get rid of a headache.  E.g Paracetomol, Ibuprofen.


Does it hurt having my braces adjusted?

Your braces will feel tighter when they have been adjusted and this can make your teeth ache for a couple of days, but this is not usually as uncomfortable as when you first had them fitted. Again, any pain is normally relieved by painkillers.


How often do I need my braces adjusting?

On average braces are adjusted every 6-8 weeks, however depending which stage of treatment you are in sometimes the orthodontist may recommend a different length of time between appointments.


How long will I have to wear braces for?

It depends on what type of brace you have and the complexity of your individual case, but your orthodontist will advise you at the start of treatment how long each stage of treatment will take. An average course of treatment takes approximately 18-24 months followed by a further period of wear of your retainers.


Will I need to have any teeth out?

Sometimes in order to straighten teeth you may need to have some teeth removed to make enough space. Everybody is different and your orthodontist will design a suitable treatment plan for you which may possibly involve having some teeth removed. However this will be discussed with you and it is your choice if you want to go ahead with braces.


Can I have colours on my brace?

Yes usually colours are available with our braces.


What do I have to avoid whilst wearing braces?

It is really important that you avoid hard, chewy sticky foods like sweets/caramel & chewing gum as these can break your brace.
Fizzy drinks & natural fruit juices should also be avoided because the acid in these drinks help to break down the enamel  and attack the tooth surface around your brace causing bright white marks on your teeth which are permanent.
Hard foods such as apples, raw carrots/veg, French bread, pizza crust etc should be cut up and chewed with your back teeth instead of biting straight into them.
We also ask you to not bite your nails or chew pen tops etc, which could break your brace.


Do I remove my braces for sport?

If you have a removable brace, functional appliance or removable retainers then you must remove these whilst playing any contact sports such as hockey & rugby etc. You also should remove them for swimming.
If you have a fixed brace and play a lot of sport then we advise you also wear a mouth guard over the top of the appliance to protect your brace and teeth.


What happens if I break my brace?

If you break your brace we advise that you contact the clinic as soon as possible so we can repair any damage, please don't wait until your next routine appointment. If the brace is not attached to your teeth then it is not working. If you break your brace then your treatment could take longer to complete.


How do I clean my brace?

Each type of brace requires really good cleaning. Braces can trap plaque & food which can cause your teeth & gums damage. Your orthodontist will show you how to clean your brace depending on what type of brace you have. Cleaning your brace is easy and does not usually take much more time than ordinary tooth brushing. There are special brushes available to clean around your brace and you will be shown these when you have your brace fitted.


Am I too old for braces?

No, you’re never too old for braces. Braces work in the same way whether you’re a teenager or an adult. As long as your teeth & gums are healthy then usually an orthodontic treatment plan can be made. Orthodontics on the NHS however is only available if your teeth are fall into particular categories of something called the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and you are under the age of 18. Any orthodontic treatment after that age would be on a private basis. Your orthodontist will explain everything to you.


How much does private orthodontic treatment cost?

The cost depends on the problem being corrected and what is involved. There are many different treatments available, and the cost depends on the types of braces used and estimated treatment time for completion. However the orthodontist would make you a detailed treatment plan breaking down all the treatment costs, stages of treatment and timescale. Please refer to our fee guide for further information.


Will I need retainers?

Yes. Any tooth movement needs to be held in place with retainers. This can be on a long term or permanent basis.


What are the risks of orthodontic treatment?

The main risk is damage to the teeth and surrounding gums. This can be decalcification (damage to the enamel causing permanent marks) or gingivitis (swollen, bleeding gums) or caries (tooth decay). These are generally caused by not looking after your braces properly i.e. not cleaning well enough and eating/drinking things we recommend you should avoid. If any of these problems occur then your orthodontist would inform you and help you to overcome these problems. If these problems continue then we would advise you to stop the orthodontic treatment to save the health of your teeth.