“Zoe and Rachel explained – without any hard sell – all that this entailed, including costs and the procedures it would involve. A provisional appointment was made on the 29th January to have impressions taken giving me time to consider going ahead.
I’ve been with Zoe a long time and trust her implicitly and so by the next day I had opted to have the fixed braces and confirmed the appointment. At the first appointment impressions and photos were taken and a month later on the 27th February I had the braces fitted.
This entailed:
1. Filing between my teeth to allow the teeth to move. This was uncomfortable rather than painful
2. Cementing the brackets on both the upper and lower teeth
3. Fitting the wire onto the brackets
The whole process took just over 1 hour with Zoe and her team working efficiently and with consideration for my comfort throughout. Everything went smoothly and the look and feel was just as I expected.
During the first two weeks the braces made the inside of my cheek sore, my lips dry and my teeth ached, but taking painkillers and using Vaseline on the lips helped with this. I tried covering the brackets with orthodontic wax supplied by Zoe but gave up with this as it refused to stay put. I discovered a product called “comfort covers” which I brought online but didn’t need to use as the skin inside my mouth had toughened up by the third week.
Changes had to be made regarding eating and diet as it’s impossible to bite down on certain foods as the brackets break and spicy or coloured foods will stain the glue and the wire (goodbye Indian food!).
I found myself eating more slowly by cutting foods into small bite-size pieces then carefully chewing using the big molars at the back of the mouth, although too much chewing did cause my teeth to ache.
I felt it was necessary to be more vigilant with my oral hygiene routine. I spend 15-20 minutes morning and night, and 10 minutes at lunchtime making sure the teeth, in between the teeth, wire and brackets are thoroughly clean and use a mouthwash afterwards.
I’ve always used an electric toothbrush (and feel this is a must) and interdental brushes but have also brought a baby toothbrush with a smaller head to clean under and around the wires and brackets. I carry a small plastic case containing travel sized toothpaste, toothbrush and interdental brushes in my handbag for those times when eating out.
I’m due back for my first check up in two days’ time on the 27th March and although I’ve only had the braces on a month I feel happy and very comfortable with them.”
Fay Marsh
