5 Tips to Survive Your First Day With Braces

Your first day with braces can be scary – you might not know what to expect, especially in the beginning. But don’t worry, we’ve put together the information you’ll want to know when the day comes. So we can show you how to survive braces from the first day to the last. Explore these tips.

1. Get the most you can out of your orthodontics visit.

You will be getting lots of information on your first day with braces. It may seem overwhelming, but make sure to take the time to ask any questions you might have and write things down if you’re not sure you’ll remember.
It’s important to make sure you understand all of the things you need to do before your next appointment. Run through the recommended hygiene upkeep an extra time to save yourself problems in the future.

2. Be careful of wires.

Check the wire ends on your braces while you’re still at the office with your finger or tongue. If they are positioned to poke your mouth someway you will be uncomfortable, so it’s important to be honest with your orthodontist or orthodontic assistant if you have any discomfort. We’ll provide you with dental wax to take home also. Until your mouth gets used to the brackets, the wax can help prevent any sore spots.

3. Practice good oral hygiene.

In general, you really need to keep up on keeping your teeth clean throughout your whole treatment. That means flossing daily and brushing your teeth after every meal. Make sure you’re getting the food that gets stuck in your brackets. Keeping up with these things will show you how to get used to braces. Eventually, it will be easy, but in the beginning, it might take a little extra effort. Try putting together a kit with everything you need in it, so you’re less likely to neglect your teeth when you’re not at home.

4. Do things that will make you comfortable.

For the first few days, you might be feeling a little irritated. If you create a warm saltwater solution to rinse your mouth you will find the area healing quicker and feeling soothed. Try one cup of warm water to half a teaspoon of salt and rinse half a dozen times a day to alleviate braces pain in the first week. Also, use a heating pad on your jaw. Both of these things can help with soreness.

5. Be mindful of what you eat.

You’re probably already wondering ‘what can I eat with braces on the first day?’ Well, the good news is you can eat as soon as you get home- just you can only eat certain things for the first few days. Your mouth is still adjusting, so it’s important you stick to soft foods. By the fourth day, you can start adding more solid foods.
There will be some things your orthodontist will recommend not eating for the entire time you have your braces – like gum or anything too hard or chewy. Foods high in sugar like candies could cause plaque build-up that would result in serious gum diseases. Try making a list of things to avoid or one of all the food you will like to eat in the first few days. Keep those lists on your fridge so you can easily refer back to them.

Don’t be afraid to call your orthodontist

We promise these tips for new braces will help make your first day less painful. But if you’re experiencing a lot of discomforts, don’t hesitate to give us a call. You can also refer to these most common orthodontic emergencies.

Ready to find your most confident smile? Get started with us today!

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