Written by Dr. Chaw Su Kyi on August 10, 2020
It’s a common misconception that there’s an age limit to having your teeth straightened and that it’s something for children and the young. But the great news is that’s simply not the case. In fact, the oldest patient that Dr Kyi has treated to date was 76 years old, who had a lower fixed brace fitted, and she often treats patients in their 60s or 70s.
Yes, fixed braces can treat a wide variety of cases, including correcting your bite, whether you have an overbite, underbite or crossbite. Indeed, bite correction is one of the most common issues we tend to treat. Following an orthodontic assessment with Dr Chaw-Su Kyi, your straightening treatment will be customised to your individual case and particular needs.
When Dr Kyi fits your new braces, we will advise you how to look after them, including tips on what you can and can’t eat and drink, how to clean and floss your teeth and what to do if your brace is broken or damaged. If you play contact sports, we will recommend having a custom-made mouth guard and if you play a musical instrument, we will recommend using wax or special tubing, depending on what you play.
It’s definitely trickier to floss with fixed braces but that in no way means that you should skip this all-important part of your daily oral hygiene routine. But you’ll need to use Superfloss, which is designed for use with fixed braces, tucking it underneath the wire then flossing as normal. We’ll show you how to do it when your braces are fitted, plus, Dr Kyi has made a short YouTube video showing how best to use Superfloss.
Yes, you can play a brass instrument whilst wearing fixed braces but you may need to place wax over the brace brackets. We can also give you special clear ‘tubing’ to fit over the brace when you’re playing. For keen musicians who spend a significant amount of time practising or performing, we would most likely suggest considering Invisalign instead of fixed braces at your initial consultation.
West London Orthodontics offers the most advanced orthodontic care for children and adults. Serving patients in Hammersmith, Shepherd's Bush, and Chiswick, Dr Kyi and her team specialise in various brace options, including Invisalign. Book a consultation today.
