Clear Braces

FAQs on Clear Braces

Clear braces have the same efficiency in treatment as metal braces. The only difference is they are a little easier on the eye and aesthetic.

Some patients frequently notice that braces can become discolored after consuming heavily colored meals, such as butter chicken, two-minute chicken noodles, or daily coffee. It’s important to note that the discoloration does not affect the braces directly but rather the ‘oring’ or ‘module’ that securely holds the wire within the braces. These orings/modules are replaced during each adjustment appointment, ensuring that you leave with a fresh and bright appearance once again.

If you have an event on, i.e. a birthday, christening, etc… a quick phone call to schedule an appointment to have these changed is not a problem at all and we often do this for our patients.

When our patients start on their orthodontic journey, they receive an ‘Oral Health’ bag with all the goodies needed to keep teeth clean. We generally advise patients with clear braces to avoid using pink disclosing tablets as they can cause a pink tinge to appear around the braces. This issue will be resolved during your next adjustment appointment when the modules are changed. Therefore, we recommend using the pink disclosing tablets the day before your adjustment to ensure timely correction.

All of the braces rules follow with eating and cleaning. For some of our common questions on braces once they are on, click here.

If you’re after discreet but don’t think braces are for you, Invisalign/ Clear Aligners could be an alternative for you!

FAQ’s before braces are fitted:

Do I need to take time off work/school to get my braces fitted?

Many of our patients have braces fitted on and attend school or work after. Fitting of metal or clear braces usually takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour and does not hurt. You may experience some discomfort starting approximately 6 hours after the braces fitting, which you can manage by taking Panadol or an anti-inflammatory pain relief like Ibuprofen.

What should I expect after getting my braces fitted?

We receive many questions from new patients and parents wondering if the fitting of braces is an uncomfortable appointment. While this is not the case, over the course of a few days to a few weeks, there can be some interim adjustments that you would probably expect as outlined below:

Initially, you may feel pressure on your teeth.
You may experience discomfort approximately 4-6 hours after the application of braces, and it may continue for the next few days, especially while chewing. Please rest assured that this is a normal occurrence and will gradually improve within a week or two. If you require temporary relief, it is advisable to consult your pharmacist and consider using pain relievers such as Nurofen.
It is possible to experience irritation on your lips, cheeks, or develop sores in your mouth as you adjust to the braces. To alleviate discomfort, dry the brace and apply wax on top of it. Additionally, rinsing with warm saltwater and sleeping on your back instead of your side can be helpful. Pharmacies also offer topical gels like Bonjela or Kenalog in Orobase that provide relief (consult your pharmacist for advice).
After a week or two, you may notice your teeth feeling slightly loose. Please do not be alarmed, as this is a normal occurrence and will only be temporary.

What foods can I eat after getting braces fitted?

Soft foods such as mashed potato, yoghurt, jelly, blended foods and ice cream are best to eat at this point. After a period of 1-2 weeks, eating rapidly improves.
Eating with braces takes some practice. Make sure to chew your food slowly and carefully and brush after meals whenever possible or rinse your mouth with water to help get food out of your braces.

One positive aspect is that the initial discomfort and inconvenience associated with having braces improve rapidly over the course of a week or two.

Knowing and being aware of the above information contributes to an overall more positive experience with us at Smiles & Faces Orthodontics.

How long are orthodontic adjustment appointments?

Orthodontic adjustment appointments typically occur every 4 to 8 weeks, with each adjustment lasting around 10 to 20 minutes. This convenient duration enables scheduling the majority of appointments before or after school or work, ensuring minimal disruption to your daily routine. Occasionally, the teeth may feel tight or sore after each adjustment for a day or so after.

Will my/my childs speech sound different during orthodontic treatment?

The speech changes with orthodontic treatment are generally minimal and temporary in nature, and depends on the orthodontic appliance chosen.

With outside fitting braces, these speech changes are minimal, if any. With an upper expander, the initial lisping can be more pronounced, especially with the ‘S’, ‘TH’ and ‘SA’ words. We will give you a passage to practice reciting out loud which will help return to speech back to normal much quicker.

How does eating change when my braces are put on?

The most significant change after getting braces is the altered way of eating food. For the first week or two, a soft diet consisting of blended foods, stews, porridges may be best. Not to mention the ice-cream, yogurt or jelly, which would be soothing for the teeth. Sometimes the back teeth may get sore temporarily. This gets much better by the end of a week.

Following this, we recommend making simple modifications to your diet by avoiding hard and crunchy foods. This often means cutting an apple into wedges, being mindful or careful of crunchy chips and cereals, and cutting down on sweet and sticky foods and soft or energy drinks.

If you are interested in Clear Braces or discussing other discreet orthodontic options BOOK NOW for a free initial consultation.