How to Get Used to Braces

After you have braces for a while, you may nearly forget they are there at times. You get used to how they feel and changes in your oral hygiene become almost second nature. But adjusting to your braces can feel challenging in the beginning. In today’s blog post, our team suggests tips for getting used to your braces.

Pain Management

You will experience some discomfort in the days that follow getting your braces. Your jaw may feel tender after holding your mouth open as the brackets were bonded to your teeth. Your teeth may feel achy with the new pressure of the brackets and archwire. And your cheeks, tongue, and lips may feel irritated. These feelings will dissipate as your mouth adjusts to its new state.

Take over-the-counter pain medication as the label directs, drink plenty of water, eat soft foods, and use dental wax to cover up the spots where your wires or brackets bother you.

Dietary Changes

There are a number of important food rules to follow in order to protect the wires and brackets of your braces. Damage to your braces can mean extra appointments and delays in your treatment.

When you are sore in the beginning and after getting your braces tightened periodically, you’ll probably want to stick to soft foods and liquids. And at all times, you should avoid: hard foods like popcorn, ice, corn chips, chewy bread, and jawbreakers; sticky foods like gum, taffy, caramel, and candy; and biting into whole foods like corn on the cob, apples, and plums. Cut raw veggies and fruits into small pieces before you enjoy.

Achieve a Perfect Smile in Houston, TX

Here at The Smile Club Dentistry & Orthodontics, we offer a variety of treatments to help you achieve the smile of your dreams! Ready for a consultation? Contact us today. We’d love to hear from you!

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Categorised in: Dental Tips, Orthodontics