The Ultimate Guide to Making Your Braces Work for You, Not Against You

Beth Rush

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Getting braces for your teeth is an uncomfortable change. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how long you need to wear them. The initial adjustment to braces is always a struggle, but that doesn’t mean the entire experience needs to be unpleasant. Follow these instructions for new braces so they work for you, not against you.

The Big Day

The day of your appointment might bring some anxiety, but it shouldn’t. You already experienced the worst part of the process when you got those gooey dental impressions made. You also have some experience with soreness from getting your spacers. The procedure will feel awkward at times, but it’s nothing you can’t handle.

Getting a full set of braces will take the better part of two hours. The orthodontist has to clean and dry each tooth before applying the bonding glue and brackets. Once the brackets are in place, they will attach the wiring and secure them with colourful elastic bands.

The orthodontist will ask you which colour (s) you want before the procedure begins. You can choose virtually any colour combination you want, but it’s wise to avoid these colours:

• Transparent: Clear braces bands show everything behind them, including the dirty wires and leftover pieces of food.
• White: White bands will clash with the slightest yellowing of your teeth, making them appear more yellow and dirty.
• Light pastel colours: Light pastel colours have the same effect as white, making your teeth appear more yellow than they are. If you choose a light colour, pair it with something darker.

You’ll have many opportunities to change the colours in future appointments, so go with something basic for now. Your school colours or the colours of your home country’s flag are safe bets. Choosing the right colours will help you feel more confident with your new braces.

Handling the Adjustment Period

Adjusting to your braces will take a few weeks. There are several common stages people go through while getting used to their braces:

• Licking stage: You will lick your braces a lot during the first few days. It’s a normal habit that people develop to get used to the sensation of the brackets and wires.
• Soreness stage: After a day or so, your teeth and gums will start to become sore and tender. The brackets might also cut your tongue and inner cheeks. You will have trouble chewing solid foods and completely opening your mouth. Your sleep and speech might also be affected. It takes time for your mouth to toughen up.
• Loose teeth stage: Once the pain goes away, some of your teeth will start to feel loose. That means the braces are working. Each tooth needs to loosen up in order to shift to its proper place.

If you’re worried about the pain during this adjustment period, ask your orthodontist for some wax to make the wires and brackets less abrasive. Experiencing these growing pains is the first lesson in braces 101. The temporary pain from braces is nothing compared to the dental problems you would have had, had you not  gotten them.

Daily Maintenance

The orthodontist will give you instructions for maintaining your new braces. The more closely you follow the instructions, the quicker and more successful the treatment will be. Along with attending your periodic tightening appointments, you need to develop these habits:

• Brush and floss your teeth every day. People with braces are more susceptible to yellowing because the braces pick up more food particles and bacteria. If your teeth are too sensitive to a regular brush, try an electric toothbrush or add mouthwash to the routine.
• Wear your bands according to the orthodontist’s instructions. Many people forget about their rubber bands after a while, needlessly prolonging the straightening process.
• Put together a braces kit and take it wherever you go. The kit should contain your teeth cleaning products, extra rubber bands, and dental wax. You’re almost guaranteed to get food stuck in your braces every time you eat, so bringing these tools will help you maintain a white smile and fresh breath.

If and when your braces get damaged, you have the option to try some temporary fixes before calling your orthodontist. For example, you can use a spoon or another hard utensil to push the wire back into place. If the wire becomes sharp and keeps poking your lip, cover the end with wax or a cotton ball.

Braces get damaged all the time, so it’s not an emergency if something happens to yours. However, it might cause a significant delay. Tell your orthodontist about the damage in a timely manner and bring the piece of wire to your next appointment.

Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Another sobering lesson in braces 101: You will have to sacrifice some delicious snacks. Orthodontists always instruct people with new braces to stop eating anything hard or sticky that might cause damage. These are the most problematic – and coincidentally the most delicious – foods you need to avoid:

• Gum
• Popcorn
• Nuts
• Pretzels
• Chips
• Pizza crust
• Hard candy (jolly ranchers, gumballs, etc.)
• Sticky candy (taffy, jelly beans, etc.)

If you have a sweet tooth, stick to softer foods like chocolate bars, ice cream, and pudding. Your chances of damaging the braces will significantly decrease if you take these diet instructions seriously.

You will also need to wear a mouthguard for your braces in any sport you play, even for non-contact sports like tennis. If a ball is flying around, something has to protect your braces. It only takes one errant throw for something to go wrong.

Finally, you need to address one last harsh reality. People with braces are more susceptible to bad breath. There’s no getting around it. Get into the habit of carrying a pack of mints in social settings. You will feel much more self-assured knowing that you have fresh breath.

Enjoy Your Limited Time With Braces

You will have your braces for a few years, at most. They will be annoying to deal with sometimes, but overall, you should enjoy your limited time with them. They’re giving you a better smile, which will make you more confident. If you embrace the process and follow the instructions for your braces, you’ll have a great experience wearing them.

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Featured image courtesy of Rainier Ridao on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.