Sometimes a cleft can cause a gap in your gum and the bone of your jaw. This means some of your front teeth might come into the mouth twisted, in the wrong position, or don’t appear at all.
This page explains how orthodontists work to help change the position of your teeth, and how to cope with braces and other orthodontic treatment.
What is ‘Orthodontics?’
Orthodontics is a type of dentistry that aims to move your teeth into a better position.
Orthodontists are special doctors who use ‘orthodontic appliances‘ to slowly move your teeth. The most common is a ‘fixed appliance’ usually called ‘braces‘ or ‘train tracks’.
If your cleft affects your gum and teeth, you will probably have seen an orthodontist from a very young age to check how your teeth are growing. This might include planning for an Alveolar Bone Graft operation when you were 8-12 years old to make sure your adult teeth grow as best they can.
When your adult teeth start to grow, you might need braces to encourage your teeth to come through in the right way. If you have braces, you need to be extra careful to take good care of your teeth.
If your Cleft Team think you need jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) as you get older, your orthodontist will help with planning and making sure your teeth are in the right place before and after the operation.
Orthodontic treatment can sometimes be challenging and feel uncomfortable. But in the long term, it can make a big difference to the appearance of your teeth and your smile. It’s important to speak up if anything is bothering you, and to get more support if you need it.
Looking after your teeth and braces: top tips
Looking after braces
Your orthodontist will give you expert advice to help you look after your braces. It’s important that you follow this advice as best as you can, and ask if you have any questions or worries.
Keep your braces and mouth clean
Brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice each day. If you can, brush your teeth after lunch as well.
It can be harder to keep your teeth clean when you’re wearing braces, so you may need to get a special toothbrush to help.
Eating and drinking
After your braces are fitted or adjusted, it might be easier to eat softer foods which you don’t have to chew as much, like soup or pasta. It might also be easier to cut up some foods rather than chewing them, especially foods like fruits and vegetables.
Avoid crunchy, hard or sticky foods, as these can damage your braces.
Avoiding fizzy drinks and sugary food or drinks will help you to avoid tooth decay and stains. It can be harder to clean your teeth properly when you have braces, so changing your diet can make it easier to keep your teeth healthy and make sure your braces work.
Tips from other young people
CLAPA’s Children and Young People’s Council put together this list of tips for how to deal with braces, especially when they’re new.
- Eat soft foods when your braces hurt, like when they’re first fitted or when they’re adjusted.
- Use orthodontic wax. You can get this from your doctor usually or from a pharmacy. You can use as much wax as you need to relieve the pain. Just apply by squashing the was between your fingers and pressing it on the brackets of your braces where you feel pain.
- Mouth sores are common especially when you first get braces and you are accidentally biting the inside of your cheek. Try not to touch these sores with your teeth or tongue.
- Avoid acidic drinks when you have mouth sores. Avoid stringy foods and nuts and seeds. If you must eat these things eat slowly and cut things into small pieces.
- Try using over the counter anaesthetic to numb the painful areas such as Anbesol or Orajel. Apply using a cotton swab. You can also use this as night to help alleviate the pain so that you can sleep.
- Rinse with warm salt water several times a day to relieve irritation. (½ tsp of salt to a cup of warm water)