New Dental Braces? What to Expect
Soreness and Minor Discomfort
When you first get your braces, your teeth and mouth may feel sore. This is only temporary. For minor pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of water, swish and gargle for two minutes. Don’t swallow the saltwater. For more severe discomfort, an over-the-counter pain reliever can help. If you’re experiencing sore lips, cheeks or tongue due to your new braces, we would be happy to provide some wax that can be placed over the braces to lessen the tenderness.
Loose Wires and Bands
If wires or bands become loose for any reason, call our office so we can repair them at the earliest opportunity. You can temporarily fix a loose wire by using the back of a spoon or a pencil eraser to push the wire back into place until it can be properly repaired. If a piece of wire is causing discomfort, place some wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire until it’s fixed.
Watch What You Eat:
Food can damage your braces. So avoid foods that are chewy, sticky, and hard. Also avoid foods, especially crunchy foods, that require being bit into like ice, carrots, etc. If you ever have any questions about which foods to avoid, feel free to contact our office.
Playing Sports With Braces
If you’re active, don’t stop! Playing sports during orthodontic treatment is highly recommended and only requires some smart planning. Be sure to wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your braces. Your doctor can help you find the perfect one. If you find that your mouth is sore after any athletic activity, keep wax handy to place on your braces for relief or saltwater ready to rinse with. If your mouth is injured, check your teeth and appliances carefully for any damage. If you have any issues, call our office right away.
Call us today if you would like to learn more about how dental braces can give you a brighter smile, and straighter teeth.