# Know the instructions and the contact plan

Practical chapter 4

Before starting, understand how you will receive care directions and contact the team. If you already have an appliance concern, use your treating team's contact arrangements; a new\-patient consultation request is not that help route.

## Fitting or adjustment can feel different

The British Orthodontic Society describes possible soreness after a fixed brace is fitted or adjusted. It also describes rubbing against the lips or cheeks as something to discuss with the orthodontist. That general information cannot establish whether your own symptoms are expected or how they should be managed.

Source: [British Orthodontic Society: Fixed Appliances](https://bos.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/British-Orthodontic-Society-FixedMarch2019.pdf)

## A routine question and a changed appliance are different

The AAO says to notify the treating orthodontist about a loose bracket, a wire that has moved out of place or unusual discomfort. Do not use a general article to decide that a change can wait.

| What you need to explain | A useful next conversation |
| --- | --- |
| A care instruction you do not understand | Identify the instruction and ask for an explanation or demonstration. |
| A loose bracket or changed wire | Contact the treating team and describe what has changed. |
| Unusual discomfort | Tell the treating team about the concern rather than assuming it is ordinary adjustment. |
Source: [AAO: Living With Braces](https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/life-during-treatment/)

## Before starting, make the arrangements concrete

An explanation of the appliance and a usable contact plan answer different needs. Before leaving a care discussion, you can check that you know where the written directions are and how to ask a follow\-up. Do not assume that a website's general contact hours describe an out\-of\-hours service.

- Which instructions apply to my actual appliance?
- Can the team show the part of care I am unsure about?
- Which contact route should we use during ordinary contact hours?
- What arrangements should we follow outside those hours?
- Who can help keep these details available, if I want support?

## Make the message specific without diagnosing it

A fictional example: Casey notices that a wire looks different. Casey can tell the treating team what changed, when it was noticed and what question needs answering. Casey does not need to select a repair from an online list or decide the cause before getting in touch.

Likewise, a teen can explain a cleaning difficulty in their own words. An accompanying adult can help with contact arrangements while leaving room for the teen to describe the concern.


## Use the team responsible for your current treatment

If SMILE\-FX is your treating practice, use the contact arrangements it has given you. Its published contact number is \(954\) 824\-9707. If another practice treats you, use that team's instructions. This guide does not promise urgent appointments, a response time or acceptance of another practice's appliance care.

- [Official SMILE\-FX contact information](https://www.smile-fx.com/contact-us/)
- [Call SMILE\-FX: \(954\) 824\-9707](tel:+19548249707)
- [Explore cleaning around braces](/cleaning-around-braces)
- [Considering new treatment? Review the Miramar visit details](/visit)
Source: [SMILE\-FX: Contact and Miramar Location](https://www.smile-fx.com/contact-us/)

## Keep exploring

- [Cleaning around braces](/cleaning-around-braces)
- [Sports, music and events](/sports-music-and-events)
- [Return to the guide](/)

[Plan an in-person visit to the Miramar studio](/visit)

## Your individual next step

Talk it through in person at SMILE-FX.

11225 Miramar Pkwy, STE B285, Miramar, FL 33025

[Request a free in-person consultation](https://www.smile-fx.com/lp/free-consult/?utm_source=teen-braces-broward&utm_medium=microsite&utm_campaign=smile-fx-guides)

A request is not a confirmed appointment.

[Call (954) 824-9707](tel:+19548249707)

General information for teens and accompanying adults considering fixed braces. Individual care decisions belong with your orthodontic team.

Already wearing braces and have an appliance concern? Contact your own treating orthodontic team using the contact plan they provided. A new-patient consultation request is not an appliance-help channel.

[About this guide & sources](/about-this-guide) · [Privacy](/privacy)