Your First Braces Appointment UK — What to Expect

What should I do before my braces fitting appointment?

Eat a full meal before your braces fitting appointment. Once the braces are placed you will be restricted in what you can eat for the first few days, and your teeth will be tender — making eating less appealing. Eating beforehand means you will not be hungry during what can be a 60 to 90 minute appointment. Brush your teeth thoroughly before attending, as the orthodontist will clean the tooth surfaces as part of the bonding procedure but starting with clean teeth is good practice and reduces appointment time. If you wear contact lenses, consider glasses instead — you will be lying back with a bright light directed into your mouth for an extended period, and contact lenses may become uncomfortable. Leave enough time in your schedule: do not book the appointment immediately before an important meeting or event, as the appointment may run over and you may want time to eat and recover afterwards.

What happens at a fixed brace fitting appointment?

The fitting appointment follows a defined sequence. The orthodontic nurse will fit a cheek retractor — a plastic device that holds your lips and cheeks away from your teeth — which keeps the working area dry and accessible. Your teeth are cleaned and dried. An acid etch gel is applied to each tooth surface for around 20 to 30 seconds, then rinsed off. A bonding agent or primer is applied and dried or cured. The orthodontist then places each bracket individually, positioning it precisely on the tooth using clinical reference points. Excess adhesive is removed from around the bracket base, and each bracket is cured with an LED light. Once all brackets are placed, the archwire is threaded through the bracket slots and secured with small elastic ligatures or self-ligating clips depending on the brace type. The orthodontist will check the wire seating and trim any excess wire ends. The full sequence is methodical and takes time — expect the appointment to last between 60 and 90 minutes.

How long does the fitting appointment take?

A full upper and lower fixed brace fitting typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. Upper arch only takes 30 to 45 minutes. The time varies depending on the number of teeth being bracketed, the bracket system being used, and how straightforward the access to each tooth is. Partially erupted teeth, crowding, deep overbites that cause the upper teeth to cover lower bracket positions, and patients who find it difficult to open widely or stay still can all extend the appointment time. If spacers have been placed at a previous appointment to create room between molar teeth for bands — metal rings used instead of brackets on back teeth — these will be removed and the bands cemented at this appointment, which adds time. Your orthodontist will give you a realistic estimate of appointment length at the consultation stage.

What happens in the first 24-48 hours after fitting?

Most patients notice that their teeth feel tender, sensitive, or achy within a few hours of the braces being fitted. This is caused by the initial forces from the archwire beginning to act on the teeth and the periodontal ligament — the soft tissue that suspends each tooth in its socket — responding to these forces. The discomfort typically peaks at 24 to 48 hours after fitting and then gradually subsides over the following two to three days. Over-the-counter analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen at the recommended dose manage this effectively for most patients. The inside of your cheeks and lips may also feel sore or develop small ulcers where they contact the bracket edges — orthodontic wax applied over sharp bracket corners or wire ends will protect the soft tissues while they adapt. Most people find the discomfort manageable rather than severe, though it can be worse than expected if the first archwire is heavier than typical.

What can I eat in the first week?

For the first three to five days, stick to soft foods that require minimal chewing — soup, mashed potato, pasta, scrambled eggs, yoghurt, smoothies, soft fish, and rice are all suitable. Avoid anything that requires biting into with the front teeth (such as an apple or crusty baguette), anything hard that could dislodge a bracket, and anything very chewy or sticky. Once the initial tenderness subsides, you can gradually return to a wider range of foods, with the ongoing exception of hard, crunchy, or sticky foods throughout treatment. Cut food into small pieces rather than biting into it directly. The dietary restrictions throughout treatment are designed to protect the brackets and wires, not just in the first week — but the first week is when the combination of soreness and adjustment makes it most important to eat carefully.

What should I bring and what should I ask at the appointment?

Bring a small mirror so you can check the fitting after the appointment. Your orthodontist will provide orthodontic wax at the practice, but it is worth confirming this in advance so you are not caught out by wire irritation later in the day. Ask the orthodontist or nurse for a demonstration of how to clean around the brackets and wire before you leave — a brief tutorial at the appointment is more useful than trying to interpret written instructions later. Ask what to do if a bracket comes off before your next appointment, and how to contact the practice in an emergency. Confirm the schedule of your forthcoming appointments and what each visit will involve. Write down or photograph the emergency contact number for the practice. Take a photo of your teeth with braces on day one — many patients appreciate having a baseline image to compare against as treatment progresses.

Useful related pages

This guide is for general information only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for advice from a registered dentist or orthodontist.