Wearing braces doesn’t mean you have to stop playing sports. If you play contact sports, it is recommended that you wear a sports mouth guard while playing. This can protect your mouth from many accidents that involve the face. If you have been hit in the face while playing, check your mouth and appliances immediately. In the case that your teeth have been loosened or the appliance has been damaged, call the practice for an urgent appointment.

When your band or wire is loose, it is important that you call the practice to set up an appointment to fix it. If the bracket is loose but still attached to the wire, leave it alone and avoid touching it. If it is irritating the inside of your mouth, place a little orthodontic wax on the area. If the bracket can be easily removed from the wire, place it in a plastic bag and bring it to your appointment.

If the wire is loose, try to place it back in its proper position with sterilized tweezers or needle nose pliers. If you cannot put the wire in a comfortable position, clip the wire with fingernail clippers behind the last tooth that it is fastened to.

While undergoing orthodontic treatment, it is normal to have some loosening of the teeth. Once your teeth are in their proper positions at the end of the treatment, that looseness will end.

Soreness after getting braces is normal and temporary. You may notice soreness after having braces placed on your teeth and after getting an adjustment to your braces. In these instances, you may find that your teeth feel tender while eating for a few days. You can rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to lessen some of your discomfort. If your mouth is particularly tender, you may take a mild pain reliever.

The lips, cheeks and tongue often become irritated for a couple of weeks after getting braces. Once your mouth is accustomed to the feeling of wearing braces, this irritation will subside. General irritation from wires and brackets can be alleviated by putting wax on the braces.

• Dairy — Soft cheese, pudding and milk are safe to consume.
• Breads — Soft tortillas, pancakes and muffins without nuts are safe and easy to eat.
• Grains — Pasta and soft-cooked rice are great options.
• Meats and Poultry — Lunch meat, soft-cooked chicken and meatballs are good to eat with braces.
• Seafood — Tuna, salmon and crab cakes are soft and easy to eat.
• Vegetables — Mashed potatoes, spinach and beans can be eaten comfortably.
• Fruits — Applesauce, bananas and fruit juice are healthy and great with braces.
• Treats — Ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O and soft cakes are good treat options while wearing braces.

If you have dental phobia or even avoid seeing the orthodontist regularly, you can overcome your fears by identifying them and building positive experiences with your orthodontist. Be aware that your fear of the orthodontist is normal.

Orthodontists diagnose and treat teeth positioned incorrectly in your jaw. They also correct jaw abnormalities. This can help you feel more confident about your smile and have a well-functioning bite.

Orthodontic treatment will take about two years. During this time, your teeth will slowly move into their desired positions, leaving you with a great smile with as little discomfort as possible.

• Cervical headgear: Anchors at the back of the neck and is meant to correct an overbite
• High-pull headgear: Similar to the cervical headgear, anchors at the back of the head to correct an overbite.
• Reverse-pull facemask: Anchors on the forehead and chin in order to move the upper jaw forward and correct an underbite.

If you are experiencing an orthodontic emergency, please contact our practice for immediate assistance. Our dedicated staff is available 24/7 to assist our patients with emergency orthodontic care.

Phone: 021 569 3477

1. Brushing: Rinse your mouth with water before you begin brushing. This will break up loose food particles and make the rest of the brushing that much easier.
2. Flossing: Flossing remains just as important when you wear braces. Using a floss threader can make this task easier.
3. Water Jet: After brushing and flossing, use a water jet to remove any stubborn food particles that are stuck around the braces or between the teeth.
4. Mouth Rinse: After brushing, use a fluoride rinse. We recommend using your fluoride mouth rinse at least four times a day to prevent minor inflammation of the gums.
5. Retainer Care: Keeping your dental retainer clean is just as important.
6. Braces-Friendly Diet: There are certain foods you will want to avoid when wearing braces, such as snack chips and sticky foods.

Du Raan Orthodontics offers a variety of services and treatments that will ensure you get the beautiful smile you deserve.

• Complete Adult and Child Orthodontics
• Aligner Therapy using SPARK aligners
• Ceramic Clear / White Braces
• Stainless Steel Brackets
• Nickel Free Brackets and Wires

• Speciality Appliances
• Interceptive Treatment
• Removable Functional Appliances
• Habit Correcting Appliances (Thumb-sucking appliances, etc.)

No, you are never too old for orthodontic treatment, but age is rarely a deciding factor. Orthodontic treatment can be as successful for adults as it is for adolescents. Your orthodontist considers many variables when developing your customised treatment plan.

Children receive their initial orthodontic screening by the age of 7. At this age, several permanent teeth have erupted and any developing problems will be easy to diagnose and treat.

Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of malpositioned teeth and jaws, and misaligned bite patterns. It can also focus on modifying facial growth, known as dentofacial orthopaedics. Abnormal alignment of the teeth and jaws is common.

• Ice — Eating ice can damage both your teeth and your braces.
• Snack Chips — Chips like Doritos, Cheetos and tortilla chips can cause damage to your braces.
• Sticky Foods — Caramels and chewing gum can get stuck in your braces, causing damage.
• Hard Foods — Much like ice, it is important to avoid foods that are hard and can break brackets, like nuts and hard candies.
• Foods That Require Biting Into — Eating corn on the cob, apples or carrot sticks will be difficult and can also damage your braces.

The First Visit – A child needs to see the orthodontist by the time they are 7 years old.

During Treatment with Braces – If you currently have braces, you can expect to go to your orthodontist every four to eight weeks during treatment.

After Treatment – It should only be necessary to see the orthodontist for follow-ups as a precaution.