FAQs

Yes, and make sure you do it several times a day! Having braces can give plaque more places to hide, so we advise brushing after every meal and using a fluoride mouthwash every evening. Once you've had your braces fitted, we'll show you some techniques for brushing your teeth.

Whether you are wearing fixed, ceramic or lingual braces, we recommend you avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar content, as well as fizzy drinks and sticky, chewy or particularly hard foods.

To help prevent staining, especially in the early stages of treatment, we also advise against eating and drinking certain foods that are high in colour, such as curries and red wine.

We also recommend you eat a softer diet for the first few days following treatment to help your mouth settle. Although orthodontic treatment doesn't hurt, the first few days after fitting or adjustments can cause your teeth to be a little tender. Our team will give you dietary advice

As well as regular check-up here at Dorset Orthodontics, it is important to maintain routine appointments with your usual dentist and hygienist. We will work with your dentist throughout your treatment and keep them up to date with how your treatment is progressing.

Anything! Because you remove your aligners before you eat and drink anything, your diet does not need to change for aligner treatment. Food and drink can stain or warp the aligners, meaning that your teeth may not move to the planned and desired position, which is why they need to be removed first. We also recommend a softer diet for the first few days after changing aligners as the your teeth may be a little tender and need a few days to settle down

No, but for the first few weeks following the fitting of your aligners, you may find your teeth ache a little and your cheeks or tongue are sore as they become accustomed to your new aligner.

No, although it is still very important to clean your teeth, please remove the aligners first. We advise brushing after every meal and flossing and using a fluoride mouthwash every evening.

No, we recommend that you remove your aligners before eating and drinking, with the exception of drinking cold water. Any food and drink can stain or warp the aligners, meaning that your teeth may not move to the planned and desired position. We also recommend a softer diet for the first few days after changing aligners as the your teeth may be a little tendered need a few days to settle down.

As well as regular check-up here at No1 The Orthodontic Specialists, it is important to maintain routine appointments with your usual dentist and hygienist. We will work with your dentist throughout your treatment and keep them up to date with how your treatment is progressing.

Orthodontic treatment involves stretching elastic ligaments in the gum to move the teeth into chosen positions. Once these appliances are removed, the elastic ligaments try to pull the teeth back to their starting positions.

It takes time for these fibres to remodel and stop pulling on the teeth. Continued growth of the jaws can also encourage the teeth to move once treatment has been completed. To help avoid this orthodontic relapse, we provide our patients with retainers.

Your orthodontist will recommend retainers lifetime to reduce the chances of your teeth reverting to their original position. However, as teeth move as a part of the natural ageing process, wearing a retainer indefinitely will preserve your new smile for longer.

You may notice some initial discomfort in the first week of wearing a retainer, but this isn't painful and should only last for a week at most. Bonded or fixed retainers may feel a little off or abrasive to the tongue for the first 2-3 days, but you soon get used to them. Please don't explore your bonded retainers with your tongue.

Do not leave your removable retainers lying around outside their container. Do not carry the retainers loose in your pockets or your bag. Do not wrap up your retainers in tissue paper or a napkin and then leave them lying around. To avoid damage to, or loss of your retainers, always store them in their container/box when they are not being worn.

To keep your retainers clean, brush them with your regular toothbrush and toothpaste whenever you brush your own teeth. You may wish to purchase retainer cleaning tablets from a chemists as an extra measure.

Do not wash your retainers in very warm or boiling water; do not expose them to heat (such as hot drinks, or the dishwasher!); and do not use bleach or household disinfectants or chemicals to clean your retainers.

Always insert or remove your retainers according to your orthodontist's instructions. Do not get into the habit of clicking them in and out. This can be damaging to your teeth and your retainers, and be very annoying to those around you!

If you don't wear retainers the irregularity of your teeth is likely to relapse to some degree, and it will be very hard to correct again. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best guarantee of keeping your teeth straight for a lifetime.

Yes, you should brush your teeth as normal twice a day, and floss once a day. With night-time removable retainers you will need to take them out for snacks and clean them and your teeth afterwards.

Do not use ordinary between teeth connected together with a fixed retainer. Your hygienist will advise you about how to clean your teeth interdentally where you have a fixed/bonded retainer.

You can also get additional help in keeping your mouth clean by using a fluoride mouthwash once a day.

Yes! Regardless of the type of orthodontic treatment you are having, you should always continue to arrange six-monthly check-ups with your usual dentist, and continue to see your hygienist.

CONTACT DORSET ORTHODONTICS as soon as possible for an emergency appointment and/or advice. Do not wait for your next scheduled appointment as this may result in unwanted tooth movement. Very occasionally we may be able to remake your retainer in your absence. A charge is made for replacing damaged or lost retainers. Repeated damage to, or loss of your retainers will result in partial relapse of the original condition of your bite.

Without your fixed retainer, the irregularity of your teeth is likely to relapse to some degree, and it will be very hard to correct again. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed is the best guarantee of keeping your teeth straight for a very long time.

You should expect to keep a fixed/bonded retainer on for as long as possible. That is to say for as long as you want your teeth to stay straight.

Yes, you should brush around your fixed retainer and all your teeth as normal twice a day. However when you have fixed retainers, you cannot use ordinary floss between the teeth connected together by the fixed retainer. You will need to use other dental aids to help you clean in between those teeth, such as small interdental brushes or Super-Floss.

Your hygienists will help you to establish a good home regime that you can follow easily and which will help you take care of both your teeth and the retainer. You can also get additional help in keeping your mouth clean by using a fluoride mouthwash once a day.

CONTACT DORSET ORTHODONTICS as soon as possible for an emergency appointment and/or advice. Do not wait for your next scheduled appointment as this may result in unwanted tooth movement. Maintenance of your fixed retainer will be carried out free of charge for up to 6 months following the completion of your active treatment. After this, a fee may be charged for repair or replacement of your fixed retainers.

Our teeth can become discoloured over time, if we constantly expose them to stain-causing substances found in the food and drinks we consume without cleaning them afterwards. Thankfully, modern dentistry has gifted us the In-chair Laser Whitening treatment that is designed to remove difficult stains accumulated over years of indulging our taste buds.

Is teeth whitening suitable for you? Zoom!™ teeth whitening is quick, convenient, safe, effective and affordable. This also includes your take-home maintenance kit to keep your smile sparkling!

One of the most popular techniques is known as Philips Zoom! – the laser teeth-whitening treatment well regarded for its speed and efficiency. Thanks to its light-activated technology, the Zoom! treatment is clinically proven to whiten up to eight shades. That means you can see visible shade difference within one whitening session at the dentist’s office – which usually takes about one and a half hours. This fast, pain-free and effective treatment is perfect for busy people who want a bright and sparkly smile.

Performed at the dentist’s office, Zoom! teeth whitening involves the application of a bleaching gel containing hydrogen peroxide and a high intensity light to activate the gel while catalysing the whitening process.

The process begins with an oral exam to check for defects or decay that may need to be treated before the whitening procedure commences. If everything checks out, the whitening gel is then applied on the front surfaces of the teeth, before being exposed to the activating light.

Throughout the process, the dentist would use special devices – such as lip/cheek retractor – to prevent any contact between the patient’s soft tissue and the bleaching agent. The safety precautions and preventative measures are vital to a comfortable and smooth process.

Although the In-chair method is the faster and more efficient method, some prefer the convenience and flexibility of the Philips Zoom! Take-home Whitening kit. Available in 2.4 ml dual-barrel syringes, the take-home range includes whitening trays for wearing overnight. The custom-fitted trays are worn over your teeth like mouthguards. This allows the product to be self-administered in the comfort of your own homes. Compared to the In-clinic version of the gels, the bleaching agents included in the home-use packs are less concentrated – or fast-acting – hence require a longer process.

Some people choose the take-home method over the in-chair method as they wish to avoid any potential pain or discomfort. The whitening laser emits heat when activating the gel and can cause tooth sensitivity if the safety precautions and preventative measures are not heeded. This is why only dentists are allowed to use the concentrated version of the hydrogen peroxide gel. Dentists are in the best position to perform the procedure in a clinical environment, following safety protocols using safe and sterile instruments.

Depending on the sensitivity of your teeth, the dentist may also vary the concentration levels of the gel according to your needs. Of course, the correct technique used and quality of the bleaching system further contributes towards a comfortable procedure and successful outcome. For extra sensitive teeth, longer intervals between laser applications and the pre-treatment application of a desensitizing may also help. Post-treatment desensitising methods include the use of special gels or toothpastes for sensitive teeth. By and large, patients should experience minimal pain or discomfort during the in-chair laser whitening procedure.

Extensive studies have been conducted to conclude whether teeth whitening is a safe cosmetic option. All evidence points to ‘Yes’, it is safe to undertake teeth whitening under your dentist's supervision. However, it is recommended that tooth whitening products should not be used by children or pregnant women.

It is always recommended that you visit your dentist first before starting a whitening procedure. Generally, supermarket whitening products will take several weeks or even months to have minimal impact on the shade of your teeth. During in-chair Zoom! Whitening, the dentist can whiten your teeth an average of six shades in just one session.

Immediate Results – Zoom teeth whitening allows you to see fast and instant results taking only 60 minutes to develop.

Long Lasting – This method of teeth whitening can last up to 3 years. Speak to the dentist for further information.

Safe – Zoom is a widely used teeth whitening procedure with no safety issues associated with it.

Effective and Reliable – Compared to other teeth whitening procedures, Zoom can help you obtain great results.

To allow you to undertake teeth whitening at your convenience, we provide a mouthguard that has been created especially for you based on an impression of your teeth. You will use this mouthguard to regularly apply the whitening gel over a period of 2-4 weeks.

Only a registered dentist or dental therapist/hygienist is legally able to carry out teeth whitening. Treatments undertaken by beauticians or kiosks are illegal. Commercial kits are not always assessed for safety and could seriously damage your teeth.

We can guarantee that whitening treatment at Dorset Orthodontics is top quality and carried out by trained professionals.

While it varies for each person, treatment typically lasts up to two years if staining foods, drinks and smoking are avoided. Once you have your mouthguards, you can simply purchase additional top-ups from us to ensure your teeth maintain their lustre.

There are a few simple rules to follow once space a maintainer has been fitted.

It is best to be careful when eating sticky or crunchy foods as these can break the seal that holds the appliance in place

Don't tug or push on the space maintainer with your fingers or tongue

Keep in mind that a space maintainer will create a space in which food can become easily trapped. So, making sure your child brushes their teeth properly is very important, as food can cause gum irritation or decay

If the appliance becomes loose and comes off, we recommend you store it in a safe place and come back to Dorset Orthodontics to re-cement it within 48 hours. If more time passes, you child's teeth may begin to shift, making it difficult (or impossible) to re-fit the existing appliance

Every child is unique, so we recommend you visit a paediatric dentist in the first instance, as they will be able to use their extensive knowledge of child development to assess your child's specific needs. At Dorset Orthodontics, we are able to assess the position of the permanent tooth within the bone by studying digital X-rays and then measuring the depth of bone through which the adult tooth will have to pierce before it is visible in the mouth.

Not all lost baby teeth create a need for the placement of a space maintainer. It simply depends on how long it will take the permanent tooth to erupt. If the dentist feels that the permanent tooth will come into place before any detrimental tooth shifting has had the chance to take place, then one won't be required.

Another clinical scenario in which there is no need to fit an appliance is with the loss of front teeth. While we appreciate that this can be unsettling for the parent and child involved, due to the anatomy of the bone in the frontal region, no space will be lost when this occurs.

Finally, if the X-ray confirms that half (or more) of the adult tooth is already formed and that the tooth is positioned close to the gum, space maintenance is not advisable.

A rule of thumb for this is that if your child's baby molars have come out before the age of 8 ½, in most instances it is too early. During a timely development process, these teeth would not be expected to come out before the age of 9 or 10.

There are multiple studies that suggest that almost all cases of baby molar loss (1st or 2nd), result in some degree of space loss. Most of the space lost is sacrificed during the first 6 months following the loss of the baby tooth.

A space maintainer is a custom fit appliance made of metal.

Space maintainers are fixed to the surrounding teeth. The most common type of space maintainer is the band and loop. This method sees a band cemented around the tooth behind the vacant space. From there, the maintainer is looped around the gum, resting on the tooth in front of the space.

This procedure will keep that space and allow the new permanent tooth to grow into its proper place.

The best space maintainer is the natural tooth itself. Despite all of the benefits that placing a space maintainer offers, preserving the original natural tooth is still the optimal course.