Detachable appliances are actually very easy to handle. However, it is important to wear them as long as possible (about 20 hours per day), unless a different wearing period is recommended. Functional orthodontic devices (Bionatoren, Aktivatoren, Frankel-devices, etc.) are training appliances for the entire mouth and jaw area which can fall out of the mouth, especially during the night, which is not unusual. This usually does not happen any more after one or two weeks, after the patient has grown accustomed to them. Detachable appliances should be cleaned with a toothbrush and toothpaste or liquid, or by soaking them in vinegar diluted with water. Recently cleaning tablets especially for detachable braces are also being sold.

The brackets and other metal parts of fixed braces can initially irritate the mucous membranes of the mouth. As soon as sore spots appear, some wax, which the orthodontist initially gives the patient to take home, can be applied to the irritating parts of the braces, so that they no longer irritate the cheeks, lips or the tongue. Many times these sore spots disappear by themselves after a few days.

During the first three to four days after inserting the brackets and the wire, the teeth and the periodontium can be a little painful. This sensitivity to pressure disappears rather quickly and most patients tolerate the brackets completely after a few days. The brackets and other parts of the fixed braces form little nooks and crannies, where plaque can accumulate easily. Plaque and particles of food can cause cavities and in the long run can also cause periodentosis in the form of tartar. 

For this reason, particular attention should be given to cleaning. This cleaning does not require more time than the usual daily dental hygiene. In order to not only get beautifully formed teeth, but also to keep them healthy, it is recommended to complement regular cleaning and fluoridation with: 

Dental floss, 
Fluoride Toothgel 
Manual or electric toothbrushes 
Gentle use of interdentalbrushes 
 

Cleaning of fixed appliance.

During meals, one should be careful to cut hard food, such as crispy crusts, carrots or crunchy apples into smaller pieces, so as not  to break loose the brackets when biting off. The Americans call these delicate foods, which are not ideal for fixed braces, the "Four troublemakers". These are above all sweet, sticky, crunchy and hard foods (such as popcorn, caramels, chocolate, etc.)

With the right therapy and the proper cooperation of the patient, the teeth are healthy after the therapy and don't have any cavities. In the event that patients find it difficult to clean with dental floss, or if they are not consistent enough, I prescribe a mouth hygiene program, which includes professional cleaning and keeping the patient motivated to practice proper dental care and hygiene. It is ultimately the goal of the dentist or orthodontist, to keep the teeth healthy and not only to correct their occlusion.

Orthodontic patients exhibit frequently a much higher dental hygiene awareness after the treatment, than patients without therapy, because we regularly remind them to practice proper dental care.