3 Tips for Your First Week of Braces

Braces are a great way to restore confidence in your smile and get your teeth back to their perfect position. Many people worry about the pain of braces and other inconveniences associated with them, but everything is extremely manageable if you maintain proper care techniques. Whether you are an adult about to get braces for the first time, or a parent looking for ways to make this exciting transition easier for your child, there are many tips to make the first week of braces go smoothly!

1. Consider Pain Relievers

Braces shouldn’t be causing you actual pain. In reality, there is more discomfort than real pain. This is natural due to the new pressure and shifting that metal braces or clear aligners can cause. To minimize this discomfort, you can take over-the-counter pain medicine an hour or two before your appointment, and throughout the first week as needed. You may have slight irritation from the metal brackets of the braces during the initial stages, so be sure to use braces wax to alleviate this temporary issue. If you experience significant pain, swelling, or bleeding during your first week, give your orthodontist a call!

2. Eat Soft and Cold Foods

Hard foods are not your friend when you first get your braces. Your mouth and teeth will be pretty sensitive during this time, and hot drinks aren’t bad, but a cold drink will help soothe your tender gums by creating a numbing effect. Food that requires extensive chewing, such as meats or granola bars, may cause unnecessary soreness, so stick with smoothies, scrambled eggs, yogurt, bananas, and other gentle foods. Throughout the entirety of your braces journey, you should be avoiding damaging foods and candies, such as gum, to prevent the braces from breaking.

3. Continue With Proper Oral Hygiene

While you should always be diligent to brush twice a day, dental care is extremely important with braces. You are more susceptible to gum disease and cavities when you have braces due to the wires and brackets being home to plaque and food. A soft bristle brush is the best when brushing your teeth and braces, and you should continue flossing daily and as needed.

Regardless of your reason for getting braces, the process and treatments are handled similarly. If you want to learn more about our affordable braces process, or what you can do to prepare, give Tru Smile Orthodontics a call today!