When your teeth are crooked, gapped, or you have bite issues, this can make it difficult to feel comfortable and confident with your smile. Fortunately, there are several orthodontic options that can help. If you choose traditional metal braces, it may take some time to get used to wearing them. Read on to learn four tips that will help you make it through your first week with braces.
Tip #1: Count on Dental Wax and Salt Water
The brackets of braces are designed to be gentle on your oral tissues, but they may still irritate the soft parts of your mouth, such as your lips, tongue, and cheeks. If this happens to you, consider using dental wax to make things more comfortable until your mouth toughens up over time. For significant irritation, rinse your mouth out with a solution of salt and water. Add half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and swish it around in your mouth for 30 seconds. Do this a couple of times each day to relieve discomfort and help sores heal faster.
Tip #2: Tweak Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Be sure to keep up with your oral hygiene during the first week of your orthodontic treatment. Take more time to clean around your braces and brush after each meal. This will clear out food particles that have gotten stuck in your brackets and wires to lessen your risk of developing cavities.
Tip #3: Be Prepared for the End of Your Appointment
After having your braces attached to your teeth, ask your orthodontist all the questions you have about them. They will be able to explain all the instructions you’ll need throughout treatment. Your orthodontist can also check to make sure that your wire ends aren’t poking your tongue or cheeks. Make sure that you’re equipped with the supplies you need, such as dental wax and elastic bands.
This is a good time to clear up any confusion you have so your orthodontist can ensure that you know what to do moving forward. Some questions to ask during this appointment include:
- What happens if my treatment runs over my estimated time?
- Will my speech be affected by my new braces?
- How much discomfort will there be?
- How often will my adjustments be?
- How long will my treatment be?
Tip #4: Be Careful About What You Eat
Braces come with a long list of foods that should be avoided since they can damage your brackets and wires. Don’t eat things like popcorn, pretzels, potato chips, nuts, hard candies, gum, or corn on the cob. Instead, stock up on softer foods and eat things like pasta, soft veggies, seedless bread, pudding, soup, and yogurt.
Every person will adapt to wearing braces on their own time. Even so, the above tips will help make your first week with braces a success!
About the Author
Are you a resident of the Palm Harbor area who wants to correct your smile with orthodontics? Look no further than the dental office of Dr. Alex Johnson Orthodontics. He offers a range of options so you can choose the one that best fits you. For those going with traditional orthodontics, he can teach you how to prepare for your first week with braces so it’s easier to get through. To set up an appointment with Dr. Alex Johnson or for more information on his service offerings, call his office at (727) 786-7550 or visit his website.