--- title: Braces Aftercare and Retainer Guide at Collins Street Orthodontics canonical_url: https://directory.smilesolutions.com.au/braces-aftercare-and-retainer-guide-at-collins-street-orthodontics/ category: description: # Braces Aftercare and Retainer Guide at Collins Street Orthodontics Congratulations on your orthodontic treatment at Collins Street Orthodontics. Whether you are just starting out with braces, manag... geography: city: state: country: metadata: phone: email: website: publishedAt: --- # Braces Aftercare and Retainer Guide at Collins Street Orthodontics # Braces Aftercare and Retainer Guide at Collins Street Orthodontics Congratulations on your orthodontic treatment at Collins Street Orthodontics. Whether you are just starting out with braces, managing a Rapid Maxillary Expander, or celebrating the end of your active treatment with your new retainer, this guide covers everything you need to know to protect your results and keep your smile at its best. Collins Street Orthodontics is part of Smile Solutions, Melbourne's home of dentistry, located at the iconic Manchester Unity Building in the heart of the CBD. For any questions, call us on **(03) 9671 4711** or reach Smile Solutions on **13 13 96**. --- ## Part One: Caring for Your Braces Taking care of your braces is just as important to your treatment outcome as having them placed. A little extra effort each day goes a long way towards achieving the best possible result. ### What Are My Braces Made of? Braces consist of two main components: a series of brackets, which may be metal or clear, bonded directly to the surface of each tooth; and an arch wire that runs through slots in the brackets. The wire applies gentle pressure over time to guide teeth into their new positions. Additional accessories such as elastic bands may also be used at various stages of treatment to assist with bite correction. --- ### Oral Hygiene with Braces Maintaining excellent oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is essential. The brackets and wires create additional surfaces where plaque and food can accumulate, and without thorough cleaning, this can lead to decalcification (white marks on teeth), decay, or gum problems that can affect both the teeth and the outcome of treatment. **Brushing** Brush your teeth after every meal using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle and clean along the gumline, then angle the brush to clean above and below the brackets, and finally clean the biting surfaces of the teeth. Give each tooth individual attention and take your time. **Interdental Cleaning** A standard toothbrush cannot reach between the brackets and under the wire effectively, so interdental cleaning is essential. We recommend using two products in combination: - **Superfloss** is a specialist orthodontic floss with a stiffened end (for threading under the arch wire), a spongy section (for cleaning around brackets and wider spaces), and standard floss for the gumline. Thread the stiffened end under the wire between each pair of teeth and floss gently up to the gumline. - **Piksters** are small interdental brushes with a flexible bottle-brush head attached to a handle. They provide excellent access to the areas between brackets and wires where debris accumulates. Use them gently between each bracket after brushing. **Dental Check-ups** Continue to visit your general dentist at least every six months for check-ups and professional cleans during orthodontic treatment. If your gums become puffy or bleed easily, your dentist may recommend more frequent hygiene appointments. --- ### Managing Discomfort It is normal to experience some discomfort after braces are placed and following each adjustment appointment, as the wire puts pressure on the teeth to initiate movement. This usually settles within two to three days. **Managing soreness:** - Eat soft foods in the first day or two after placement or adjustment - Rinse with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) to soothe tender gum tissue - Over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, taken as directed, can provide effective temporary relief **Orthodontic Wax** If a bracket or wire is irritating your cheeks, lips, or gums, apply orthodontic wax to the offending area. Roll a small piece of wax between your fingers until it is soft and pliable, then press it firmly over the bracket or wire end. This creates a smooth barrier between the metal and your soft tissue. Wax is available from most pharmacies. --- ### Protecting Your Braces **Foods to Avoid** Certain foods can damage brackets or wires, or become stuck in them in ways that are difficult to clean. Please avoid: - Hard foods such as popcorn, nuts, hard lollies, crusty baguettes, and raw carrots or apples (cut these into small pieces instead) - Sticky foods such as chewing gum, toffee, caramel, fruit roll-ups, and gummy lollies - Sugary foods and drinks in excess, which increase the risk of decay around the brackets Cut hard fruits and vegetables into small pieces before eating, and bite with your back teeth rather than biting directly into foods with your front teeth. **Avoid Chewing Non-Food Items** Habits like biting your nails, chewing on pens, pencils, or ice, and chewing your lips can damage brackets and bend wires. Try to be mindful of these habits during treatment. **Wear a Mouthguard for Sport** It is essential to protect your teeth and jaws with a well-fitted mouthguard whenever you play sport during orthodontic treatment. At Collins Street Orthodontics, we fabricate the highest quality dual-laminated custom-fit mouthguards specifically for patients with braces. Because your teeth are moving throughout treatment, you will need a new mouthguard periodically as the fit changes. We offer custom mouthguards at a heavily discounted rate for all active orthodontic patients, and for twelve months following completion of treatment. Bring your current mouthguard to appointments so we can check the fit and arrange a replacement when needed. --- ### What to Do if Something Breaks Orthodontic emergencies are uncommon, but they do happen. Here is how to manage common situations: - **Broken or loose bracket:** If a bracket has come off the tooth, keep it if possible and call us on **(03) 9671 4711** to arrange a repair appointment. In the meantime, use orthodontic wax over the bracket if it is causing irritation. - **Poking wire:** If a wire end is protruding and poking your cheek, try gently pushing it back with a clean pencil eraser. If this is not possible, cover the end with wax and contact us promptly. - **Broken wire:** Contact us as soon as possible to arrange an appointment. Do not attempt to cut or remove the wire yourself. --- ## Part Two: Rapid Maxillary Expander (RME) Aftercare If your treatment includes a Rapid Maxillary Expander, the following information will help you through the process. ### What Is an RME? A Rapid Maxillary Expander is a fixed orthodontic device designed to gently widen the upper jaw (maxilla) to create more space in the mouth. It is used to correct crossbites, crowding, and in some cases to improve nasal breathing. It works by applying gradual pressure to slowly separate the two halves of the upper jaw, which in children and teenagers are still connected by a band of tissue that has not yet fully hardened. ### What to Expect When the RME is first fitted, it may feel like something foreign is sitting on the roof of your mouth. This settles as you adjust. Common experiences in the first few days include: - **Difficulty swallowing** - swallowing may feel different or awkward at first, but this resolves as the mouth adapts - **Changes in speech** - speech may sound slightly different initially but usually improves within a few days with regular talking - **Increased saliva flow** - the mouth temporarily produces more saliva; this passes quickly - **A gap between the upper front teeth** - this is a completely normal sign that the appliance is working; the gap will close naturally during the retention phase once active expansion is complete ### Turning the RME Turn the key **three times per week, for example on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday**, as instructed by your orthodontist. To activate: 1. Tilt your head back in a well-lit area 2. Insert the key into the hole in the centre of the appliance 3. Push the key firmly towards the back of the mouth until it stops 4. Remove the key by pulling it downward and out You may experience a feeling of pressure or slight discomfort after turning, which usually subsides within an hour or so. ### Cleaning the RME Brush both teeth and the appliance thoroughly twice daily, morning and night. After meals, rinse with water to dislodge any trapped food. A small interdental brush can help reach underneath and around the appliance. ### Diet During RME Treatment Avoid sticky foods such as chewing gum, toffee, caramels, and lollies, as well as hard foods that could dislodge the appliance. Soft options such as fruit, yoghurt, cooked vegetables, pasta, and ice cream are all excellent choices. --- ## Part Three: Retainer Guide ### Congratulations - You Have Completed Active Treatment! Completing the active phase of your orthodontic treatment is a wonderful milestone. But the work does not stop there. Retainers are a permanent and essential part of the orthodontic process, and wearing them correctly is what ensures your results last a lifetime. Research confirms that teeth have a natural tendency to move, regardless of how well they were straightened. Without consistent retainer wear, there is a real risk of teeth drifting back towards their original positions over time. --- ### Types of Retainers At Collins Street Orthodontics, we typically use one or both of the following types of retainer: **Essix Removable Retainer** A custom-fitted clear retainer made from thin transparent plastic that fits closely over the teeth, similar in appearance to an Invisalign aligner. It is virtually invisible when worn and is removed for eating, drinking (other than water), and cleaning. **Fixed Lingual Wire Retainer** A thin wire bonded to the inner (lingual) surface of the front teeth using dental composite. It is invisible from the outside and does not need to be removed. It provides continuous passive retention for the most important teeth, particularly the lower front teeth, which have the strongest tendency to move. Your orthodontist will advise whether a fixed wire is recommended based on your individual bite and alignment. Many patients use a combination of both types for comprehensive retention coverage. --- ### How Often Should I Wear My Removable Retainer? - **Year one:** Full time, 24 hours a day. Remove only for eating, drinking (except water), brushing, and sport. Place your retainer in its case whenever it is out of your mouth. - **Year two:** At night and when you are at home during the day. - **Year three:** Every second night. - **Year four onwards:** Two to three nights per week. If your retainer ever feels tighter than usual after a period of not wearing it, this is a sign that your teeth have moved slightly. Increase wear frequency and contact us if you are concerned. *These are general guidelines. Your orthodontist will provide specific instructions based on your individual needs.* --- ### How to Clean Your Removable Retainer **Every time you remove it:** Clean your retainer immediately after taking it out, before food debris or saliva dries on the surface. Use cool (never hot) water and a soft toothbrush with a small amount of gentle liquid soap. Brush all surfaces thoroughly, rinse well, and place in the case. **Once a week:** Soak your retainer in a glass of cool water with a teaspoon of white vinegar, or in a retainer-specific cleaning solution such as Retainer Brite. This removes bacteria and mineral deposits that brushing alone may miss. **Important:** Never use hot water, as this can warp the retainer. Never use toothpaste, as it is abrasive and will scratch the surface of the plastic, making it more prone to bacterial accumulation. Do not use bleach, mouthwash, or alcohol-based cleaners. --- ### Caring for Your Fixed Lingual Wire Brush above and below the wire using small circular movements, making sure to clean every surface around the brackets. We recommend using Superfloss for the fixed wire: use the stiffened end to thread the floss under the wire, the spongy section to clean around each attachment point, and the smooth end to clean beneath the gumline. Regular hygienist appointments will also help keep the fixed wire area clean and healthy. If your fixed wire feels loose or you notice movement in any of the bonded points, wear your removable retainer and contact us as soon as possible to arrange a repair. --- ### What to Do if You Lose or Break Your Retainer **Removable retainer:** Contact us within 24 hours. We will arrange new scans and fabricate a replacement. The sooner we act, the less movement will have occurred. Please refer to your treatment contract for any fees associated with replacement retainers. **Fixed lingual wire:** If the wire comes loose or breaks, wear your removable retainer immediately and call us to arrange a repair appointment. --- ### Practical Reminders - Always bring your retainer to retention appointments so we can check its fit and condition - Store your retainer in its case, never wrapped in a tissue or left on a table - they have an unfortunate tendency to get thrown out accidentally - Keep your retainer out of reach of pets, who have a well-documented fondness for plastic dental appliances - Do not use your removable retainer as a mouthguard, night splint, or whitening tray - it is made of much thinner material and is not designed for these purposes - If you would like a custom night splint, mouthguard, or whitening trays, any of our Smile Solutions general dentists can help Call us on **13 13 96** or **(03) 9671 4711** if you have any questions about your retainer or orthodontic treatment.