Successful orthodontic treatment depends on many things. Of course, specialist training and qualifications are important - but so is commitment.

Patients don't care how much we know
until they know how much we care

However, our commitment is still only part of what makes for successful treatment as patients also need to be committed. Patients (and their parents) are not just passengers on a journey, they are active participants.

Patient participation

This takes place on three levels.

Passive acceptance

• Putting up with discomfort for a few days after braces are fitted.
• Possible social embarrassment, but this soon passes.

Exercise of restraint - This is where we ask patients not to do certain things.

• Avoid eating certain types of food - those that are very hard and might cause brackets to come unstuck and those that are sweet and sticky and might start a decay process.
• Avoid acidic drinks. Coke, lemonade etc are lethal to teeth. The 'diet' versions contain no sugar but are very acidic and also cause permanent loss of protective enamel due to acid erosion, as do fruit juices. It's boring but the best drink for healthy teeth is tap or bottled water.
• Don't brush the teeth straight after consuming sweet or acidic drinks. In fact, this makes matters worse as the top layer of enamel is brushed away whilst it is in a vulnerable state. It is better to wait at least one hour before brushing the teeth.
• Avoid abusing the braces. Don't 'click' removable appliances in & out (the wires will break eventually) and don't pick at fixed brace brackets as they may snap off and the wires distort.
• Avoid biting on pens and pencils.
• Stop habits such as sucking thumbs and fingers. If this is a known problem before treatment starts, we will often fit a specific dissuasion appliance to help you break the habit.

Active participation - This is where we ask patients to do things.

• Keep appointments. Best progress is achieved when adjustment visits take place every 5 to 7 weeks. Longer time intervals result in longer treatment overall. If this happens regularly, the quality of treatment also suffers. If you are unable to keep an appointment please let us know as soon as possible so that a new time slot can be found with minimal delay.
• Keep your teeth clean. Apart from being good manners towards the orthodontist and nurses, a clean healthy mouth does not have swollen or bleeding gums, looks nicer to your friends and does not smell. Of course, this is more difficult when wearing fixed braces but we will give all necessary instructions and brushes.
• We ask some patients to use a fluoride mouthwash. We will provide this at no extra charge.
• We expect any removable appliances we provide to be worn as instructed.
• The same goes for elastic bands. These are often used near the end of treatment to fine tune the fit of the bite. At this time, you need to think of the appliances in the mouth as an engine and the elastics as fuel. No fuel - no progress!
• Headgear - the dreaded one! Just 5% of our young patients wear headgear and you can rest assured that we would not ask you to wear headgear at night unless it was necessary. You will be given all the necessary guidance and support if you need to wear headgear.
• Let us know if anything goes wrong. Depending on the problem, we may say it's OK to leave it until the next scheduled visit or we may ask you to come in to have it fixed.
• It is important that you continue regular check-up visits with your general dentist.

Orthodontic treatment is a journey, sometimes a two year journey. Active participation and taking a close interest in what is happening not only helps the time to pass more quickly but makes a real difference to the quality of the end result.