- Don’t fiddle with your brace
If your braces are bothering you, contact the practice - Wear a mouthguard
If you’re playing contact sports, remember to wear a mouthguard, to avoid damage to your teeth, braces and the soft tissue in your mouth - Look after your retainers
Don’t forget to keep your removable brace or retainers in a brace box when out of your mouth. This’ll make damage and loss less likely - Contact us with any problems
Let us know if you experience any problems at all – please don’t just leave it to the next visit. We’ll always do our best to find an appointment for you as soon as possible to address any issues you’re experiencing - Continue seeing your family dentist
Keep regular check-ups with your family dentist throughout your treatment journey. Your dentist focuses on your oral hygiene, which remains a priority while you’re wearing braces
Preventing an orthodontic emergency
Looking after your braces
Wearing braces doesn’t have to interfere with your lifestyle, but it is important to look after them, as any issues could prolong your treatment time.
If you’re having braces fitted, try to incorporate these 10 tips into your routine, to avoid any potential issues. After all, the best way to treat an orthodontic emergency is to prevent it altogether!
- Keep all your appointments
It’s important we see you regularly (normally every 8 weeks) so your treatment progresses smoothly. Missed or irregular appointments are likely to lengthen your treatment or, worse still, lead to problems. If you’re not able to make it to our practice regularly, you can book virtual check-ups using the Dental Monitoring app . - Brush carefully 3 times per day
Poor brushing will lead to a build-up of plaque, which could cause bleeding gums and decay - Avoid sugary snacks and drinks
Eating and drinking these between meals can cause decay - Avoid hard or sticky foods
These are the foods we recommend you avoid while wearing braces as they can break the brackets - Don’t bite your fingernails or chew pens
These kinds of activities can damage your braces and prolong treatment time
Orthodontic emergencies
Please contact the practice if something happens to your braces. We’ll give you advice or arrange to see you as soon as possible to resolve the problem. If the practice is closed, please leave a message or email and we will get back to you as soon as we re-open.
There are very few things that can happen during orthodontics that can be classified as a real emergency requiring immediate attention. Nearly everything such as a broken bracket or wire can be dealt with during normal opening hours. However, in the unlikely event that you do need urgent attention (outside of practice opening) please contact the Emergency Dental Service below.
Telephone: 01243 831790. Address: Jubilee Dental Centre, St Richards Hospital, Spitalfield Lane, Chichester PO21 6SE.
Please note: this service is by appointment only.