Patient Instructions (Fixed Appliances)

Fixed Braces: Patient Instructions

Patient name: [Patient name]  |  Visit date: [Visit date]  |  Clinic: [Clinic name]

(Before finalizing, verify that office phone, office hours, and after-hours contact are present below. If any are missing, flag this document for staff completion. Do not deliver to the patient.)

Questions or problems

• Office phone: [Office phone number]
• Office hours: [Office hours]
• After hours: [After-hours contact process]

Emergency: If you have trouble breathing, severe swelling, or bleeding that won't stop, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Next appointment: [Next appointment date and time] (Include only if scheduled; otherwise omit this line.)

Key points to remember

• Brush carefully around brackets and wires.
• Clean between your teeth every day.
• Avoid hard and sticky foods.
• It is common to feel mild soreness for a few days.
• Use orthodontic wax if something rubs or pokes.
• Call the office if anything breaks or comes loose.

What to expect

It is common to feel pressure or mild tooth soreness after braces are placed or adjusted. This usually improves in a few days. Eat soft foods at first.

Your cheeks and lips may feel irritated while your mouth adapts. Wax can help. Your teeth may feel slightly loose during treatment. This is normal.

[Additional expectations discussed] (Include only if speech changes, saliva changes, or other specific expectations were discussed during the visit. Otherwise omit this paragraph.)

Daily care

Hygiene

• Brush at least twice a day. After meals is best.
• Angle the brush at the gumline. Clean around each bracket. Brush behind the wires.
• Clean between your teeth every day. Use floss with a threader, an interdental brush, or a water flosser.
• Keep seeing your regular dentist for cleanings during treatment.
• [Fluoride rinse instructions] (Include only if specifically ordered or part of documented clinic protocol; otherwise omit.)

Diet

• Choose soft foods the first few days.
• Avoid hard foods: ice, popcorn, nuts, hard candy.
• Avoid sticky foods: gum, caramels, taffy.
• Do not bite into firm foods. Cut apples and carrots. Take corn off the cob.
• Choose water over sugary or acidic drinks.
• Do not chew on pens, pencils, or nails.

Discomfort and troubleshooting

Comfort tips

• Eat soft foods. Cold soft foods can help.
• Rinse with warm salt water: mix ½ teaspoon of salt in 8 oz warm water. Swish and spit.
• Dry the area and place orthodontic wax where it rubs.
• If you can safely take over-the-counter pain relievers, follow the package directions.

Common problems

• Poking wire: cover with wax. You may gently push it away with a clean pencil eraser.
• Loose or broken bracket still on the wire: leave it in place. Cover with wax.
• Piece came off fully: save it and bring it to your appointment.
• Mouth sores: use wax on rubbing spots and do warm salt-water rinses.

Call the office if wax does not help or if discomfort lasts more than a few days.

If you swallow or inhale a piece

• If you have coughing, wheezing, or trouble breathing, seek emergency care right away.
• If you swallowed a piece and have no symptoms, contact the office.

When to call

Call the office:

• A bracket or wire breaks or comes loose.
• A wire is poking and wax does not help.
• Pain is severe or not improving after a few days.
• You have damage after a fall or sports impact.

Seek emergency care (call 911 or go to the ER):

• Trouble breathing or choking.
• Bleeding that won't stop.
• Significant facial swelling with fever.
• Major trauma to your face or jaw.

After hours: [After-hours contact process]

Your instructions today

(Include this section only if patient-specific instructions were given during this visit, such as elastic wear schedule, areas needing extra hygiene attention, prescribed rinses, or activity restrictions. If no specific instructions were discussed, omit this entire section.)

[Patient-specific instructions from today's visit]