This is a collaborative post.
Getting braces can be a daunting experience. As well as getting used to how they feel you must also be prepared to put up with how they look. Although you will become accustomed to them over time, the first couple of weeks can be particularly difficult. Continue reading to find out how you can readjust to your new gnashers.
Prepare
Preparation is key to helping you feel comfortable with your new and improved set of teeth. Before you leave the orthodontist, you must ensure you are equipped with all of the necessary information to allow you to ease into life with braces. Learn more about the type of braces that you’re getting. For example, if you are getting invisible aligners, then learn more about them and the ways that you can clean and maintain them. Ask your dentist to check your braces are tight and secure with no wiring protruding into your cheeks. Whilst they are likely to feel uncomfortable at first, they should not be causing you pain. You must also ensure you are aware of any aftercare or daily steps that you must stick to before your next follow-up appointment. Finally, you must be stocked up with all of the relevant teeth cleaning supplies. This includes dental wax, rubber bands and interdental brushes.
Adjust your diet
As your braces require you to readjust your diet, it may be worth implementing this ahead of time. By familiarising yourself with the foods you can and cannot eat, you are less likely to forget and make silly, costly mistakes. You may benefit from a diet consisting of only soft foods for a few days to help you come to terms with your braces. Food like pasta, bread, soup, and yoghurt are more likely to be gentle on your teeth and should cause the least amount of pain and discomfort. Fizzy drinks and coffee may also stain your teeth and wear away at the structural integrity of the metal brackets and wiring. Adjusting your diet before you get braces can streamline the teeth straightening process once you leave the clinic.
Improve your oral hygiene routine
Wire braces and invisible braces require a new and improved oral hygiene routine. With restricted access to your teeth, it is important you clean the exposed parts of your teeth and take extra care to ensure your brackets also remain clean. It is easy for loose food and debris to get lodged within the metal wiring. A soft-bristled brush or an interdental brush can flush away dirt your toothbrush has left behind. While you can remove clean aligners to brush, food can get lodged between the aligner trays and your teeth. By taking extra care to give your teeth a thorough clean, you can prevent the build-up of plaque and bacteria.
If you check out this dentist Vineland, they’ll also tell you how important it is to not miss your follow-up appointments. Doing so will ensure that your braces are doing their job properly.
Getting braces is a process. They require a complete readjustment to your daily routine. By familiarising yourself with the required changes ahead of time, you can ensure you are as prepared as you possibly can be for life with braces and look forward to unveiling your new smile.
