First Week Of Wearing Braces: 10 Tips To Know

Congratulations on your braces journey! You’re on the right path to better alignment and a better smile. The first few days are going to be tough, so here’s everything you need to know about your first week of wearing braces.

Ask as Many Questions as Needed

Need clarification on certain things? We’ll help you how to navigate your new life with Metal braces in Newburgh, from the kinds of food to eat to how to take care of them properly. It’s important to ask these questions before you leave the clinic so that you’re well-prepared on how to deal with your braces on your own. Don’t be afraid to ask, as the orthodontist will be more than happy to help you out.

Take Over-the-Counter Medicine Beforehand

While you should never feel intense braces pain during the first week or at any point of the treatment, it’s normal for your teeth to feel achy and a bit tender after getting your braces installed. It’s also possible to feel tenderness after getting them readjusted. The slight discomfort means that the treatment is doing its job of moving your teeth into their ideal positions. Thankfully the uncomfortable feeling dissipates after a day or two.

You can be one step ahead by taking over-the-counter medicine before the initial appointment. This way, the pain reliever will be in effect by the time your braces begin to exert any pressure on your teeth. You can also continue to take medicine during your first week of wearing braces. If the pain is still unbearable, do not hesitate to give us a call.

Just Keep Talking

Not a lot of people actually notice a difference in the way they talk after getting braces, but there are some that start to speak differently or produce a lot of salivae while talking. This is more common with Invisalign or lingual braces. If this happens during your first week of wearing braces, don’t worry about it! Your speech will go back to normal the moment your tongue gets used to the appliance inside your mouth.

To make the process much faster, just keep talking. Talk to yourself, talk to your friends, talk to the phone, or read words out loud. The more you talk, the faster you’ll get used to wearing braces, and your regular speech pattern will resume.

Eat Soft Foods

Wondering what to eat during your first week of wearing braces? Dentists and orthodontists recommend every patient eat soft and cold foods and drinks because they’re easy on the teeth and won’t add extra discomfort. The coldness coming from the food and drinks can help numb your mouth a bit. Examples of soft foods are smoothies, yogurt, soup, and mashed potatoes. 

When you feel like you can go back to your regular diet once again, you may do so as long as you avoid the list of foods that brace wearers can’t eat. Your orthodontist in Newburgh will brief you on this, but these are chewy, hard, and sticky foods. Eating these kinds of food can damage your braces.

Have Orthodontic Wax Nearby

Orthodontic wax, often times referred to as braces wax, can potentially be your best friend during your first week of wearing braces. When you start wearing them, the braces can irritate the inside of your lips, tongue, and cheeks. This is not uncommon, your mouth will get tougher, and the irritation will dissipate. However, it’s always smart to have your orthodontic wax nearby.

Using orthodontic wax is easy. All you have to do is break off a small piece of the wax and roll it between your fingers to warm it up, and place it on the area that needs it. Make sure that the troubled area is dry and clean, as the wax will get rid of the irritation and sores.

Rinse with Saltwater

Rinsing with saltwater helps speed up the healing process and prevents any uncomfortable feelings. You can easily make a saltwater rinse by dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in warm water. You can rinse with saltwater a bunch of times a day if necessary.

First Week of Wearing Braces

Curate a To-Go Kit For When You’re Out

Good braces hack is having a designated to-go kit filled with braces supplies. Take this kit with you whenever you’re out of your house. This is so that you always have what you need should the situation call for you to use it. You’ll have no issues brushing your teeth after eating, and you can easily remove any food particles stuck between your teeth when you’re outside.

Here are some essential items you should have in your kit:

  • A small mirror
  • Toothbrush
  • Interproximal brushes
  • Dental floss
  • Orthodontic wax

Wear a Mouthguard

If you play a lot of sports or engage in physical activities, it’s important to wear a mouthguard. If you don’t and you get hit in the face with your braces on, the brackets and wires can wound or cut the insides of your mouth, which would require you to schedule a repair appointment. This is why a lot of athletes wear this.

Exhibit Good Oral Hygiene

The brackets and wires in your braces tend to have food stuck in them which develops into plaque. To prevent attaining cavities and gum disease, you have to brush your teeth with braces a lot more than you did prior to wearing braces.

Brush your teeth in the morning, after eating, and before you sleep with fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush that’s soft-bristled. Avoid hard-bristled toothbrushes because they are rough on tender gums and teeth. Don’t forget to floss at least once every day.

Motivate Yourself With the End Result

Your first week of wearing braces is going to be challenging. Brackets and wires are installed, and suddenly your cheeks, lips, and tongue are sharing space with them. Your teeth feel sensitive, and now you have to floss and brush your teeth in a different way using different techniques.

If this overwhelms you, remember why you got braces in the first place and look forward to the end result once the treatment finishes.

Once the first week passes, everything will be much easier for you. If you have any other questions or concerns, or perhaps you’re ready to start your braces journey, then you can reach out to us here! We’ll happily assist you with any concerns you have or help you schedule an appointment.

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