Sir, my 13-year-old daughter had upper and lower fixed braces fitted recently. During the first few days as expected she felt considerable pain, especially whilst eating. Analgesics were needed.

We were in the kitchen together on day two, when she suddenly got up from the table making a high pitched squeaking noise. She walked towards me at the sink with a look of fear and desperation on her face, her shoulders haunched.

When I realised she could not breathe I initiated strong back slaps. At number five a Malteser fired into the sink! I was almost as relieved as she.

It appeared she had been sucking a Malteser for comfort and played with it at the back of her mouth to avoid contacting the hypersensitive molars, when it slipped back.

Do we need to give additional warnings of choking hazard during this period of adaption to fixed braces? At this time the lips, tongue and teeth, normally so skilful in manipulating objects in the mouth, are all drastically compromised.

I shudder to think what might have happened if my daughter had been alone. This most frightening and potentially catastrophic experience would have much better been avoided.

1. Leicestershire