Patients with orthodontic problems can benefit from treatment at nearly all ages. At Fouche Orthodontics, we recommend that children can have their first orthodontic consultation from age 7 years.

Around this age the first permanent teeth have started to appear and we can assess the first signs of serious malocclusions (misaligned bite), narrowed jaws, protruding teeth and deleterious habits such as digit sucking.

The more well-known age period for getting braces is around the teen years when it is especially important to utilize the accelerated growth period of the jaws to correct over- and underbites. Adult orthodontic treatment can be commenced at any age.

Apart from the major esthetic improvement and advantages of having braces treatment to align teeth and optimize your smile, the other major advantages of orthodontic treatment include:

• Improved access to cleaning all areas of your teeth to decrease the chances of developing tooth decay and gum disease.

• An improved relation between the upper and lower teeth to efficiently chew food and aid in better digestion.

• Properly aligned teeth in good relation, alleviate unnecessary wear that might require extensive restorative treatments later on.

• Improved speech that results from better tooth alignment, tongue position and swallowing patterns.

• Improved jaw alignment that aids in temporo-mandibular joint health.

Traditional

Made of stainless steel or titanium, these braces are the most common types used in orthodontic treatment. The structure is made of a silver-colored bracket bonded to teeth, with the wire running from bracket to bracket. The wire is tied with an elastic or small metal tie.

Ceramic

Innovative ceramic materials are used for brackets that are small and translucent, blending in with the colour of your teeth. Ceramic brackets are much less noticeable than the traditional brackets, and ideal for patients of any age that are looking for a more esthetic option.

Damon System Braces

The Damon System bracket is a self-ligating bracket, so it eliminates an elastic tie to keep in the wire.

Damon brackets are recommended in severe crowding cases as friction is reduced without an elastic tie, allowing alignment to progress more efficiently with reduced discomfort.

The Damon system is available in metal and clear bracket options.

Clear aligners

ClearCorrect® and Invisalign® are two well-known systems that provide orthodontic tooth alignment with the use of aligners – clear plates or clear guards that fit snug on the teeth.

A series of plates are worn to align the teeth, with the plates fabricated from special resin-plastic material that is completely translucent and near-invisible.

It is the most esthetic tooth alignment option available, and offers patient the ultimate choice of orthodontic corrective treatment with least noticeability.

Specific indications exist for this type of treatment and cannot be prescribed in all cases. Please enquire at our practice if you would like more information about your suitability for this type of treatment.

Food that becomes trapped, with time, attracts bacteria and microorganisms forming plaque.

The bacteria in plaque digests the sugars in the food, producing acids that irritate the gums and erode the teeth. This causes white spots on the teeth, cavities, gum disease and bad breath.

It is therefore of utmost importance to control the build-up of plaque, especially during your orthodontic treatment.

Through your diet, daily maintenance and regular professional cleanings with the oral hygienist or dentist, you will keep the plaque under control and enjoy beautiful results.

The importance of cleaning your braces with brushing and flossing cannot be overstated. We know its harder to clean your teeth effectively around the appliance wires and brackets. Here we have prepared some tips for you:

Brushing

Brush using a medium or small-headed brush with medium or soft bristles. Multiple circular motions from above and below the wire is needed.

The areas behind the wire cannot be reached by a normal brush, and an extra small bristle brush shaped like a small Christmas-tree or pipe-cleaner is needed to reach the areas in-between. This brush can be found at large chain pharmacies.

Flossing

You are required to floss at least once a day. Special products are available, such as Floss Threaders or SuperFloss® that has a strengthened tip to guide floss behind the wire.

• The floss needs to reach under the gumline to effectively remove the plaque

• Our staff will review the cleaning techniques with you in detail when your braces are put on, to make sure you understand how to reach the difficult access areas

Braces with brackets and wires (whether the wires are on the cheek side or the tongue side):

• Do not chew hard and sticky foods (sticky toffees, sticky sweets, hard candy, popcorn, ice cubes, meat with bones, “biltong”, sosaties)

• Cut your food into small pieces

• Be conscious of your appliance when making your food choices.

Removable appliances:

Twin blocks, bite plates, retainers must be brushed when you brush your teeth. Brush only the fitting surface (the dull non-polished side).

• Never put them in hot water as that will distort them

• Always keep in the case when it is not in your mouth

Initial discomfort with the appliance is completely normal. Give yourself a few days for the tongue and cheeks to adapt to your appliance. Please use the oral wax provided to cover any uncomfortable areas.

After every adjustment visit, it is not uncommon to experience discomfort for 2-3 days. Any over-the-counter pain-relief medication can be used, but we advise only paracetamol if needed.

As the teeth straighten, at times, the wire extends at the back of your mouth and can poke the cheeks. Please note this is normal, and can easily be covered with the wax provided, or cut short with nail clippers that was wiped down with alcohol. Please phone our offices for clear instructions, or schedule to come and see us, should you not be able to move/manage the wire in a gentle manner.

In the unlikely event of a bracket loosening, please save it and bring it with at your next visit! If a bracket or wire is loose and irritating the inside of your mouth, please cover it with wax and schedule an appointment at our practice.

Events that constitute major emergencies that need urgent attention:

• Trauma to the face and mouth due to an injury at home, school or on the sport field.

• Infection and swelling of the gums and face.

• Severe, unmanageable pain in the areas of the mouth and face.