Braces Transition: Tips for Your First Week and Beyond
The first few days and weeks of your braces transition require a bit of an adjustment for your mouth. Where there were simply teeth before, your mouth is now getting used to metal brackets and wires rubbing against your cheeks and lips. While the initial discomfort is normal, this short phase is the beginning of a journey toward a straighter, healthier smile.
To help you through this early transition with braces, we’ve compiled a list of tips to make the adjustment period as smooth and comfortable as possible.
1. Leave the Office Prepared
Before you leave the office, do a quick check of your new hardware. Make sure there aren’t any wires sticking or poking out that will cause you any additional discomfort. You’ll also want to double check you have any or all of the supplies you may need, including elastic bands and dental wax.
2. Watch What You Eat
During the first few days of your braces transition, it’s best to stick to soft foods while your mouth adapts. After about four days, soreness should lessen and you can gradually reintroduce more solid options. Even with modern braces technology, some foods can damage your hardware. Avoid hard or sticky items like ice, popcorn, gum, nuts, bagels, crunchy fruits and vegetables, hard candy, and corn on the cob.
3. Use Your Wax
Although your new brackets were designed to be gentle, you may experience some irritation while the soft skin in your mouth gets used to them. Use the dental wax you were given and put it on your bracket until your skin toughens up.
4. Salt Rinses Are Your Friend
Salt water rinses date back to 1600 BC and they’re still used today for a reason. They not only reduce dental bacteria, but can promote healing as well. If you’re experiencing a significant amount of irritation, sores or pain, try doing a salt rinse five times a day for 30 seconds at a time. You can make your own salt mouth rinse at home by mixing ½ a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water.
5. Stay On Top of Your Oral Hygiene
Give your braces the best environment possible to prevent any problems down the road. You’ll want to start brushing your teeth after every meal to get rid of any food debris that might get stuck in your wires or brackets. It’s also important to keep up on your traditional routine of brushing morning and night and flossing regularly.
Everyone’s braces transition experience is different—but after those first few days, you’ll likely forget your braces are even there If you have any questions regarding braces, or think you’re experiencing more discomfort than normal, please contact our office.
