What we do
Our orthodontics service is based at Bristol Dental
Hospital and outreach clinics at Weston General Hospital and South
Bristol Community Hospital.
Our specialisms
Cleft lip and palate, orthodontics and jaw deformity.
Conditions we treat
- Cleft lip and palate
- Orthodontics
- Jaw deformity
Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice
Please use this website to help you if you are currently having
brace treatment here at Bristol Dental Hospital. It provides useful
information about your future appointments, your brace, how to keep
up to date with information and how to look after your brace. There
is a useful section with frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help
answer questions you may have about problems with your brace. There
are also contact details for the department in case you need any
further help that is not covered in the website.
We are not able to see patients for normal orthodontic
appointments.
This is because restrictions are in place to reduce further
spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and to protect our patients, staff
and the wider community.
We will contact you to arrange an appointment as soon as we are
able to see you. It is likely to be a few months before we are back
to normal service arrangements. We will keep you updated on this
website.
Queries about my brace
If you have any concerns about your brace, we are happy to talk
to you to offer advice. Our contact details are at the bottom of
this page.
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions further down this page
for answers to some common queries.
How will this affect my treatment?
It is important you look after your brace until we can see you
again. This will make sure you get the best possible outcome from
your treatment. There are some tips below.
It is possible that your treatment will take longer. We hope you
understand that your health and well-being are our priority and we
will see you as soon as we can.
Keeping up to date
The British Orthodontic Society (BOS) are providing useful and
up to date advice. To keep up to date with UK guidance we encourage
you to check their
website or follow the BOS Facebook
posts.
Looking after your brace
Keeping your brace clean
- Brush your teeth every morning, night and every time you eat.
Remember to use small brushes to get in around your brace, with
particular care needed to keep the gum margins clean.
- Use an adult fluoride toothpaste. After brushing spit, but do
not rinse with water.
- You can also use a fluoride mouthwash at a different time to
brushing.
- If you have a removable brace, please remember to take it out
to clean it and remember to keep wearing it at other times.
Diet advice
- Reduce the frequency of sugary foods by trying to only eat
these at meal times.
- Avoid fizzy drinks (even diet varieties) and natural fruit
juices as these are often high in sugar and can be acidic. Water is
the best drink for your teeth.
- Healthy foods to eat between meals include soft wholemeal
bread, plain cheese, fruit and vegetables.
Being careful not to break your brace
- Avoid crunchy, hard or sticky foods - these may break your
brace.
- Some foods like apples may need to be cut up into smaller
pieces.
- Avoid chewing pen lids and biting your nails.
- Try not to fiddle with your brace.
- Please contact your orthodontic team and they can give you
advice.
FAQs: possible problems with your brace
There is further information and videos to help you look after
your brace and manage any brace problems on the
British Orthodontic Society website.
We always recommend trying to contacting your orthodontic
provider before you attempt to fix any problems yourself, as there
is a risk you might damage your brace.
Something on my brace is loose
If part of your brace has snapped or become loose, you only need
to contact us if it is painful or there is a danger of you inhaling
it. If it is not causing you any pain, we can fix your brace next
time we see you.
My brace is rubbing
Please use the wax you were given at the start of your treatment
or call us 0117 3424346 or 0117 3429547 and we can post you out
some wax to put on the bit that is rubbing you.
I have run out of elastics
Don't worry we can post you some more if you call on 0117
3424346 or 0117 3429547.
I don't know if I need to wear my elastics
If you are not sure whether to wear your elastics, please email
us and we can arrange a telephone consultation with an
orthodontist.
I was due to have my fixed braces removed. Do I need to come
in?
Unfortunately we cannot provide any non-urgent treatment at this
time. We will be in touch as soon as we can see you to remove your
brace. Please make sure you look after your brace carefully to
avoid damage to your teeth or brace.
Should I keep wearing my removable brace?
If you are not sure whether you need to wear your removable
brace, please email us and we can arrange a telephone consultation
with an orthodontist.
Contact us
If you are a patient in the department and have any queries,
someone in the team will be able to help. Please call on 0117
3424346 or 0117 3429547 between 8.30am-2pm Monday-Friday. Please be
aware the telephone lines are likely to be very busy.
Information for referring Practitioners
Orthodontic referrals to the Bristol Dental Hospital: Guidance and Recommendations 2020
