Before the first assessment

Recent dental radiographs
List of medications and conditions
Notes on habits, snoring, dental injuries (children)
Your three treatment-life questions: daily routine, emergencies, fee inclusions
Extended health plan details

Bond day preparation

Eat a proper meal beforehand
Brush and floss thoroughly
Lip balm
Headphones
Soft food and cold drinks at home
Before photo

First-week habits

Brush after every meal, four minutes, gum line above the brackets
Floss daily with a threader, pick or water flosser
Carry the kit everywhere
Cut food up
Know the breakage list: popcorn, nuts, hard candy, ice, gum, caramel
Clinic number saved in your phone

The pencil-case kit

Wax
Travel toothbrush and toothpaste
Floss picks or interdental brush
Small mirror
Elastics (if prescribed)
Aligner case and chewies (if applicable)

Elastic wear

Hours as prescribed; full-time means day and night
Change at least daily
Photo of the hook pattern on your phone
A bag in every location
Replace a broken one immediately
Never double up unless told

Aligner day

In overnight; out for breakfast; brush; in
Water only with trays in
Out for lunch; rinse or brush; in
Out for dinner; brush, floss, clean trays; in
Count hours: 20-plus
Chewies after a new tray

Retainer care

Soft brush and cool water daily; no toothpaste, no hot water
Weekly soak
Case, always
Out for eating and anything but water
Floss under a bonded wire daily
Bring retainers to every visit

When something breaks

Poking wire: wax, or press flat with an eraser; call for a trim this week
Loose bracket: leave it, wax any sharp part, soft food, repair this week
Lost aligner: previous tray in, call the same day
Lost retainer: next in the set, or call within days
Knocked-out or displaced tooth: dentist or emergency department within the hour

Guildford Orthodontic Centre

A specialist orthodontic practice in Guildford where Dr. Aly Kanani and Dr. Aida Mesbahi, both Certified Specialists in Orthodontics, provide braces, Invisalign and growth-appliance treatment for children, teens and adults.

The complimentary first visit includes an examination, photographs and a digital scan, with radiographs when indicated, and ends with a written plan and quote. Braces adjustments, aligner checks, emergency visits and retainer follow-up all happen at the same Guildford office.

About this guide

Published by

The myORTHODONTIST network

Written by

SurreyBraces.com editorial team

Clinical reviewer

Dr. Aly Kanani, Certified Specialist in Orthodontics (profile); Dr. Aida Mesbahi, Certified Specialist in Orthodontics (profile). Review assigned; sign-off date will be shown here once complete.

First published

20 September 2026