Your First Week of Braces: Tips and What to Expect
At Rosenberg Dental Group, our Rosenberg orthodontists are here to help with your first week of braces. We love using the latest in treatment options to ensure your experience is as smooth as possible. Whether you use traditional braces or Invisalign, we strive to make your treatment pain-free and effective.
Soon enough, you’ll forget you’re even wearing braces. However, everyone goes through an adjustment period. As one of the leading orthodontists in Rosenberg, we’re here to help. Below, you’ll find tips to help you adjust to your new treatment.
Get a Headstart on Braces Discomfort
More often than not, patients as us whether braces hurt. The answer is no, but you might feel some minor discomfort. Still, there’s no lasting pain from the treatment. In your first week of braces, you might experience some sensitivity.
Fortunately, this fades after a few days. However, you can get ahead of it with a mild over-the-counter pain reliever. Take one before your bonding appointment and after adjustments to your braces. When you do, it kicks in before the sensitivity starts.
Braces-Friendly Drinks and Food
Your Rosenberg orthodontist will help you understand what to eat or avoid with braces. During your first week of braces, expect your teeth to be sensitive. This means you should stick to soft foods and cold drinks for a bit.
Foods like mashed potatoes, applesauce, and soup are excellent options. When you drink cold beverages, they help by numbing your mouth slightly. Once you feel more comfortable with your braces, you can eat just about anything. However, it’s important to avoid certain foods that are tough, sticky, or chewy.
During your first week of braces, you might experience irritation on the inside of your cheeks and lips. Over time, your mouth toughens up. Once it does, you experience less discomfort from the wires and brackets.
In your adjustment period, one way to relieve irritation is a saltwater rinse. Simply add a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and swish it around in your mouth. Be sure not to drink it, though. You might want to repeat this throughout the day.
If it doesn’t help warm up a small bit of orthodontic wax between your fingers. Place it on any areas where the brackets or wires bother you.
Brushing and Flossing with Braces
One of the strangest feelings during your first week of braces is brushing and flossing. It can be a bit clumsy at first as you work around the wires and brackets. Fortunately, it only takes a short time to become a pro. Here are a few tips for brushing and flossing with braces.
- Brush in the morning, after meals or snacks, and before bed. Spend about three minutes each session with a non-whitening toothpaste. If you are out in the world without a toothbrush, rinse your mouth out before and after eating. Brush when you get back home.
- Use a soft-bristled brush with moderate pressure. Tilt the brush to 45 degrees and brush along the top and bottom of the brackets. Give your gums attention, too. Try to get all the surfaces on the teeth and behind your molars.
- Floss daily and practice using a floss threader or orthodontics flosser. This makes the process much easier all around, especially in the early days. Get in between any sets of teeth and floss up and down the sides of the teeth. Be sure to move all the way to your gums before going to the next set of teeth.
- In addition to the flossers, tools such as interproximal brushes are helpful. Moreover, a Waterpik is a great tool that helps you reach the deeper nooks in your teeth. While you’ll still need to floss, many of our Rosenberg orthodontics patients love the Waterpik tool.
Don’t Panic Over Loose Teeth
One surprising aspect about braces is that they can make teeth feel loose during your orthodontic treatment. Understandably, this can cause some patients to panic. However, there’s no need to worry.
This is a completely normal sensation. In order to shift position, the teeth have to loosen a bit. Once your treatment comes to an end, they lock back into place.
Prep for Braces Emergencies
Braces emergencies are quite rare. However, we understand that some minor issues seem major. When you know how to handle them in your first week of braces, you feel much more confident.
Confidence and managing your comfort is a great way to ensure your treatment goes smoothly. Here are a few common issues.
Soreness
Soreness is temporary and usually follows adjustments or tightening appointments. When you have soft foods and cold drinks stockpiled, you’ll be ahead of the curve. Additionally, remember the saltwater rinse and to take a mild pain reliever after adjustments.
Broken Brackets and Loose Brackets
If your bracket is attached to the wire, leave it on. Gently move it back into the correct position and cover it with a piece of wax. Should a bracket break and come off the wire, wrap a piece of tissue over it and remove it. Call your Rosenberg orthodontist and schedule an appointment to fix it as soon as possible.
Wires Poking Your Gums, Cheeks, or Lips
Before you head out after your bonding appointment, your Rosenberg orthodontist checks the wires. However, sometimes, loose brackets leave you with a long piece of wire poking your cheek.
Use a clean cotton swab to push it up against the nearest tooth. Dry it off with some tissue and cover it with a piece of orthodontic wax. Then, give us a call to schedule an appointment to fix it.
Braces and Mouthguards
For our athletes, a mouthguard is essential equipment for many sports or physical activities with a risk of facial injury. While it’s probably already routine, it’s especially essential when you have braces on.
The mouthguard acts as a barrier between braces and soft tissues. It prevents potential lacerations and irritations when you take a hit to the face. Additionally, it prevents damage to your braces and reduces the likelihood of dental damage. Any damage to your teeth or the braces has the potential to set back your treatment.
With a custom mouthguard, you have a better fit and superior protection. Ask your Rosenberg orthodontist during your appointment if you have concerns about athletic activities.
Focus on Your Results
During your first week of braces, the equipment feels a little weird. Oftentimes, patients feel a dip in their confidence or self-esteem. You might feel like you look different, but we promise, everything adjusts over time. After a while, you’ll barely notice them.
When you feel discouraged, keep in mind that you are on a journey to a healthier bite and a more beautiful smile.
Ready for Your First Week of Braces?
Now that you know what to expect from your first week of braces, are you ready for it? If you’re interested in straightening your teeth, schedule a consultation with our Rosenberg orthodontists!
We offer an array of treatment options, from traditional braces to Invisalign. When you aren’t sure what treatment is best for you, we can guide you through the process. Book an appointment today!
