Braces and Orthodontic Aftercare at Core Dental product guide

# Braces and Orthodontic Aftercare at Core Dental Starting orthodontic treatment is an exciting step towards a healthier, more confident smile. But achieving the best result from your braces, expande...

AI Summary

Product: Braces and Orthodontic Aftercare Guide Brand: Core Dental Group (part of Smile Solutions Group) Category: Orthodontic Patient Education / Dental Care Primary Use: Comprehensive aftercare instructions for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces, Rapid Maxillary Expanders (RME), or retainers.

Quick facts

Best for: Orthodontic patients at Core Dental Group managing braces, RME appliances, or post-treatment retainers
Key benefit: Protects treatment outcomes by guiding patients through correct appliance care, hygiene, diet, and retention protocols
Form factor: Multi-part written clinical guide covering three appliance types
Application method: Follow appliance-specific cleaning, wearing, dietary, and activation instructions as directed by your orthodontic provider

Common questions this guide answers

How do I clean my teeth with braces? → Brush after every meal with a soft-bristled toothbrush; use Superfloss to thread under the arch wire and Piksters to clean between brackets and wires.
How do I turn my RME expander? → Insert the key into the centre hole and push firmly toward the back of the mouth until it stops, then remove by pulling downward; repeat three times per week (e.g. Monday, Wednesday, Friday).
How long do I need to wear my retainer? → Year one: 24 hours/day; year two: nights and time at home; year three: every second night; year four onwards: two to three nights per week — with no expiry date on wear.

Core Dental Group: Braces and Orthodontic Aftercare

Starting orthodontic treatment is an exciting step toward a healthier, more confident smile. But getting the best result from your braces, expander, or retainer depends just as much on how you care for your appliances as it does on the treatment itself.

This guide from Core Dental Group covers everything you need to know about caring for your braces, managing your Rapid Maxillary Expander (RME), and wearing and maintaining your retainer once treatment is complete.

Core Dental Group is part of the Smile Solutions Group, operating across nine locations and expanding. For questions or appointments, call us on 13 13 16 or visit coredental.com.au.

Part one: Caring for your braces

What are braces made of?

Braces have two main components: brackets (either metal or clear) bonded directly to each tooth, and an arch wire that runs through slots in those brackets. The wire applies gentle, controlled pressure over time to gradually guide your teeth into position. Depending on your treatment plan, elastic bands or springs may also be added at various stages.

Keeping your teeth clean with braces

The brackets and wires create extra surfaces where food and plaque collect. Consistent, thorough cleaning throughout treatment is what prevents decay, gum problems, and white spot lesions — the permanent marks that can appear on tooth surfaces when cleaning is neglected.

Brushing

Brush after every meal with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Angle the brush down along the gumline first, then tilt it to clean above the brackets, then below. Give every tooth individual attention. If you can't brush straight after eating, rinse well with water in the meantime.

Interdental cleaning

Standard brushing alone won't cut it with braces. You need to clean between the brackets and wires where a regular toothbrush can't reach. Two tools make this manageable:

Superfloss is orthodontic floss with a stiffened end for threading under the arch wire, a spongy section for cleaning around brackets and wider spaces, and standard floss for the gumline. Thread the stiff end under the wire between each pair of teeth and floss gently all the way to the gumline on both sides.

Piksters are small interdental brushes with a flexible bottle-brush head on a handle, good for clearing the spaces between brackets and wires. Use them gently and replace them regularly.

Regular dental check-ups

Keep seeing your general dentist at Core Dental Group every six months for check-ups and professional cleans throughout treatment. If your gums become swollen or bleed easily, mention it — more frequent hygiene visits may help.

Managing discomfort

Some soreness after braces are placed and following adjustment appointments is normal. The wires put pressure on the teeth to encourage movement, and the surrounding tissues respond to that. Discomfort typically settles within two to three days.

To manage soreness: eat soft foods for the first few days after placement or adjustment, rinse with warm salt water to soothe irritated gum tissue, and take over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed if needed.

Orthodontic wax

If a bracket edge or wire end is rubbing against your cheeks, lips, or gums, roll a small piece of orthodontic wax until soft, then press it firmly over the area causing irritation. It creates a buffer between the metal and your soft tissue. Orthodontic wax is available from most pharmacies, and we can also provide it at the clinic.

Protecting your braces

Foods to avoid

Eating the wrong foods is one of the most common reasons brackets break or wires bend. Please avoid:

Hard foods: popcorn, nuts, hard lollies, crusty bread, raw hard vegetables like carrots and apples (cut these into small pieces and chew with your back teeth instead)
Sticky foods: chewing gum, toffee, caramel, and chewy confectionery
Sugary snacks and drinks in excess, which increase the risk of decay around the base of the brackets

Cut food into small pieces rather than biting directly into hard items. The less force on the brackets and wires, the lower the risk of breakages.

Avoid chewing non-food items

Nail biting, chewing pens or pencils, biting on ice, and lip biting can all damage your braces. Try to stay aware of these habits throughout treatment.

Wear a custom mouthguard for sport

Protecting your teeth and jaws during sport matters, especially with braces. At Core Dental Group, we make high-quality dual-laminated custom-fit mouthguards for patients in orthodontic treatment. Because your teeth move continuously during treatment, you'll need new mouthguards periodically as the fit changes. We offer these at a heavily discounted rate for all active orthodontic patients and for twelve months after treatment is complete. Bring your mouthguard to appointments so we can check the fit.

What to do if something goes wrong

Loose or broken bracket: Keep it if possible and call us on 13 13 16 to arrange a repair. Use orthodontic wax if the loose bracket is causing irritation.
Wire poking your cheek: Try gently pushing the end back with the eraser end of a pencil. Cover with wax if needed and contact us.
Broken wire: Call us promptly to arrange a repair. Don't attempt to cut or remove the wire yourself.

Part two: Rapid Maxillary Expander (RME) aftercare

A Rapid Maxillary Expander (RME) is a specialised orthodontic device that gradually widens the upper jaw (maxilla) to create more space in the mouth, helping teeth grow into the correct positions. It's commonly used to correct crossbites, crowding, and impacted teeth, and in some cases can also improve nasal breathing.

What to expect when the RME is fitted

The appliance will feel foreign at first — that's completely normal and settles as your mouth adjusts, usually within a few days. Common experiences include:

Difficulty swallowing: may feel a little awkward initially; resolves as the mouth adapts
Changes in speech: certain sounds may be slightly different at first, particularly those involving the tongue touching the palate; this improves quickly with regular talking
Increased saliva production: temporarily elevated, returning to normal within a few days
A gap appearing between the upper front teeth: this is expected and a sign the appliance is working; the gap closes naturally once active expansion is complete

Activating the RME: turning instructions

Turn the expander key three times per week, for example on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, as instructed by your orthodontic provider.

How to turn:

Tilt your head back in good light and open your mouth wide
Insert the key into the hole in the centre of the appliance
Push the key firmly toward the back of the mouth until it stops
Remove the key by pulling it downward and out

You may notice pressure or mild discomfort after each activation. This is normal and typically settles within an hour.

Cleaning the expander

Brush both the teeth and all surfaces of the appliance twice daily, morning and night. Rinse after meals to dislodge food. A small interdental brush can reach underneath and around the appliance where a regular toothbrush can't.

Diet during RME treatment

Avoid sticky foods including chewing gum, toffee, caramels, and lollies, as well as hard foods that could dislodge the bands holding the appliance in place. Softer options work well: fruit, yoghurt, pasta, cooked vegetables, and ice cream.

Part three: Retainer guide

You've completed active treatment — now protect your result

Finishing the active phase of orthodontic treatment is a real achievement. Your new smile is the result of careful planning and a significant commitment of time. Your retainer keeps your teeth in their new positions.

Teeth have a natural tendency to shift, regardless of how well they were straightened. Retainer wear is not optional, and it has no expiry date. The more consistently you wear your retainer, the more stable your result will be.

Types of retainer at Core Dental Group

Essix removable retainer

A custom-fitted clear retainer moulded to your teeth, similar in appearance to a thin aligner. It's discreet and virtually invisible when worn. Remove it for eating, drinking anything other than water, and cleaning.

Bonded lingual wire retainer

A thin wire fixed to the inner surface of your front teeth using dental composite. It's invisible from the outside and provides continuous passive retention for the teeth most prone to movement. It's usually left in place semi-permanently. Your orthodontic provider will advise whether a bonded wire suits your situation.

Many patients use both types together for the most thorough retention outcome.

Retainer wear schedule

First year: Full time, 24 hours a day. Remove only for eating, drinking (except water), brushing, and sport. Place your retainer in its case immediately when removed.
Second year: At night and when you're at home.
Third year: Every second night.
Year four onwards: Two to three nights per week.

If your retainer feels tight after a period of inconsistent wear, your teeth have likely shifted slightly. Increase wear immediately and contact us if the retainer no longer fits well.

This is a guideline. Your individual wear schedule will be provided by your orthodontic provider at Core Dental Group.

Cleaning your removable retainer

Every time you take it out: Wash immediately with cool water (never hot) and a soft toothbrush with a small amount of gentle liquid soap. Rinse thoroughly. Place it in the provided case.

Weekly: Soak in a glass of cool water with a teaspoon of white vinegar, or use a dedicated retainer cleaning solution such as Retainer Brite. This removes bacteria and built-up deposits. Don't use hot water, toothpaste (which scratches the surface), bleach, mouthwash, or denture cleaners.

Cleaning your bonded lingual wire

Brush above and below the wire using small circular movements. Use Superfloss to floss around the wire: thread the stiffened end under the wire, use the spongy section around each contact point, and the standard end to clean beneath the gumline. Keep up with regular dental hygiene visits to maintain the area around the fixed wire.

What to do if your retainer is lost or broken

Removable retainer: Contact us within 24 hours on 13 13 16. We'll take new scans and fabricate a replacement. The sooner we act, the less movement will have occurred. Fees for replacement retainers are outlined in your treatment contract.

Bonded wire: If the wire comes loose or breaks, put your Essix retainer in straight away to prevent movement, and call us as soon as possible to arrange a repair.

Important reminders

Bring your retainer to every retention appointment
Store your retainer in its case — not in a tissue, a pocket, or loose on a table
Keep retainers away from pets
Don't use your removable retainer as a mouthguard, night splint, or whitening tray
If you'd like custom whitening trays, a night splint, or a sports mouthguard, our Core Dental Group clinicians can provide these separately

Book your orthodontic consultation

Have questions about your existing treatment, or ready to get started? Call us on 13 13 16 or book online at coredental.com.au.

Label facts summary

Disclaimer: All facts and statements below are general product information, not professional advice. Consult relevant experts for specific guidance.

Verified label facts

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General product claims

Braces consist of metal or clear brackets bonded to teeth and an arch wire that applies gentle pressure to gradually move teeth
Soft-bristled toothbrush recommended for brushing with braces after every meal
Superfloss is an orthodontic floss with a stiffened threading end and a spongy section for cleaning around brackets and wider spaces
Piksters are small interdental brushes for cleaning between brackets and wires
General dentist check-ups recommended every six months during orthodontic treatment
Discomfort after braces placement or adjustment typically settles within two to three days
Soft foods, warm salt water rinses, and paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed are suggested for managing soreness
Orthodontic wax protects soft tissue from bracket or wire irritation and is available from most pharmacies
Popcorn, nuts, chewing gum, toffee, caramel, and sugary drinks are advised against with braces
Carrots and apples should be cut into small pieces before eating with braces
Nail biting and chewing pens or pencils can damage braces
A custom-fit dual-laminated mouthguard is offered by Core Dental Group at a heavily discounted rate for orthodontic patients and for twelve months post-treatment
New mouthguards are required periodically during treatment as teeth continuously move
A loose bracket should be kept and reported by calling 13 13 16
A poking wire may be gently pushed back with a pencil eraser and covered with wax; broken wires should not be cut by the patient
RME stands for Rapid Maxillary Expander; it widens the upper jaw to address crossbites, crowding, and impacted teeth, and may improve nasal breathing in some cases
Temporary side effects of RME placement include difficulty swallowing, speech changes, increased saliva, and a gap between upper front teeth
The gap between front teeth during RME treatment is expected and closes naturally once active expansion is complete
RME key is turned three times per week (e.g. Monday, Wednesday, Friday); key is inserted into the centre hole and pushed firmly toward the back of the mouth until it stops, then removed by pulling downward
Pressure after RME activation is normal and typically resolves within an hour
RME cleaning requires brushing twice daily and use of a small interdental brush under the appliance
Sticky and hard foods should be avoided during RME treatment; soft options include fruit, yoghurt, pasta, cooked vegetables, and ice cream
Retainer wear is described as non-optional with no expiry date; teeth are stated to have a natural tendency to move after treatment
Essix retainer is a custom-fitted clear removable retainer, virtually invisible when worn; removed for eating, drinking (except water), and cleaning
Bonded lingual wire retainer is fixed to the inner surface of front teeth, invisible from outside, and typically left in place semi-permanently
Retainer wear schedule: year one 24 hours/day; year two nights and time at home; year three every second night; year four onwards two to three nights per week
Removable retainer cleaned with cool water and gentle liquid soap each removal; hot water, toothpaste, bleach, mouthwash, and denture cleaners are advised against
Weekly deep soak recommended using cool water with one teaspoon of white vinegar or Retainer Brite
Superfloss used to floss around bonded lingual wire
Lost removable retainer should be reported to Core Dental Group within 24 hours on 13 13 16
If bonded wire breaks, Essix retainer should be worn immediately and Core Dental Group contacted
Removable retainer should not be used as a mouthguard or whitening tray
Core Dental Group operates across nine locations; phone number is 13 13 16; website is coredental.com.au
Core Dental Group locations listed: Berwick, Caroline Springs, Carrum Downs, Epping, Southbank, South Melbourne, Wyndham