What to Expect - Day One with Braces
General Soreness
After getting your braces, you may experience:
- Soreness in your mouth: Teeth may feel tender when biting for 3–5 days.
- Irritation: Lips, cheeks, and tongue may become irritated as they adjust to the braces, usually lasting 1–2 weeks.
Tips for Relief:
- Take Tylenol or your regular pain reliever to ease discomfort.
- Use the wax we provide to cover any areas of the braces causing irritation.
- Rinse with warm saltwater to help soothe sore spots.
If you experience significant discomfort – please call us. Any pain associated with orthodontic treatment is not something you’re required to tough out.
Loosening of Teeth
This is to be expected throughout treatment. Don’t worry! It’s normal. Teeth must loosen first so they can move. The teeth will firm up in their new — corrected — positions after treatment is completed.
Life With Braces
Brushing and Flossing
Brushing and flossing regularly is crucial when you have braces to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout orthodontic treatment. If proper oral hygiene is not maintained, you may need more frequent visits to the dentist for professional cleanings. If you’re an adult with a history of gum disease, it’s a good idea to see a periodontist during your orthodontic care.
Watch this video on how to care for your braces:
Eating with Braces
What can you eat with braces? More importantly, what should you avoid? During the first day or two, stick to soft foods like soups, mashed potatoes, and smoothies. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. Before long, you’ll be able to enjoy most foods again, but it’s important to protect your orthodontic appliances while eating.
Watch this video on how to care for your braces:
Foods to Avoid
- Chewy foods: Taffy, gummy bears, soft pretzels
- Crunchy foods: Chips, ice cubes
- Sticky foods: Toffee, marshmallows
- Hard foods: Almonds, hard candies
- Foods you bite into: Raw celery, pears, corn on the cob
Loose Wire or Band
Don’t be alarmed if a wire or band comes loose. This happens occasionally. If a wire sticks out and is irritating, use a blunt instrument (eraser end of a pencil) and carefully, gently push the irritating wire back under the archwire. Simply get it out of the way. If irritation to the lips or mouth continues, place wax or wet cotton on the wire to reduce the annoyance.
Call our office as soon as possible for an appointment to check and repair the problem.
Rubber Band Wear
To successfully complete orthodontic treatment, the patient must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the rubber bands or other appliances as prescribed. Lack of cooperation in following instructions and damaged appliances lengthen the treatment time!
Caring for Your Appliances
Remember to take care of all your appliances, as damaged appliances can lengthen your treatment process. Your teeth and jaw will only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other appliances prescribed by your doctor.
Playing Sports with Braces
Game, Set, Match – Good news for athletes! Even if you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, you can still participate in sports! It’s important to wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your braces. If you need assistance in finding the right mouthguard for the best protection, please inform your doctor.
If you’re involved in a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and your appliance for any damage that may have occurred. If you notice any loose teeth or if your appliance has been damaged, please contact our office immediately. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort with wax or by rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.
