A beautiful healthy smile is something that we all deserve, according to an Orthodontist in Santa Clarita. But what is life like initially for someone who gets braces?
Embrace Your Smile Orthodontics noted there are several things to expect after first getting braces.
“When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days,” officials said. “Rinsing your mouth with a warm salt-water mouthwash can relieve this soreness.”
There may be a little tenderness in lips, tongue, and cheeks during the first couple weeks caused by the toughness of the braces. Taking an over the counter pain receiver or using wax on the braces can help lessen the discomfort.
It is also normal to experience a feeling of loose teeth during the process.
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“Teeth must loosen first so they can be moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new corrected positions,” Embrace your Smile officials said.
Don’t be too alarmed if a wire or band comes loose. This can happen occasionally. In the event of a broken wire or a poking wire, “please call our office to describe the situation and receive instruction.”
It is also very important to regularly brush and floss and to let Dr. Gilbertson, Dr. LeCornu, or Dr. Weber know if a problem arises. If you play sports, a protective mouthguard is recommended.
“We can provide mouth guards that work with your braces,” Embrace Your Smile officials said.
Try to avoid the harder foods like tough meat, raw vegetables, and hard breads after first getting your braces. Only soft foods should be eaten during the first few days, “but moving your teeth frequently by chewing will reduce the degree of pain and its duration.”
Here is a list of foods to avoid as advised by Embrace Your Smile:
- Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
- Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
- Sticky foods: caramels, gum
- Hard foods: nuts, candy
- Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
- Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.