Orthodontic Braces

Orthodontic braces are primarily used to straighten teeth. You may need a brace if you suffer from one of the following:

✔ Your teeth or jaw have not developed correctly
✔ Your teeth are crooked, protruding or out of place
✔ You have an overcrowded mouth
✔ You have gaps between teeth
✔ Your bottom and top teeth do not meet when you bite down

Whilst most patients who need orthodontic braces are adolescents, more and more adults are having orthodontic treatment, perhaps after an accident or because they didn’t get the chance when they were younger.

1. One of the best tips for when wearing new braces is to trust that you’ll get used to the feeling of them quite quickly. The first day of having braces can feel a little different. Your mouth isn’t quite sure what to make of the brackets and wires, so you might produce extra saliva and swallow a lot more than usual. This should go away within an hour or so. Any changes in your speech due to your braces or aligners will also disappear in a day or two.

2. Getting your braces put on doesn’t hurt like you might expect. However, for a few days afterward or following adjustments, your teeth might feel sensitive. Drink iced water or a cold smoothie to numb your mouth. Eat soft foods (such as mashed potatoes, yogurt, jelly, or soup) until you feel ready to resume your regular diet. You can take an over-the-counter, non-aspirin pain reliever if necessary. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package and check with your doctor (or parents) if you have any special medication needs.

3. As you get accustomed to wearing your braces, you may experience some lip and cheek irritation from the brackets and wires. Once your mouth toughens up, which usually happens within the first week, this shouldn't be a problem anymore. In the meantime, you can mix one tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water and swish it around in your mouth to help reduce the irritation. Repeat this as often as necessary. You can also dry off the part of your appliance that’s bothering you and stick a piece of dental wax on it to act as a barrier. If you need dental wax please let us know!

4. If a bracket comes loose or a wire starts poking you in your cheek, you can move the bracket back into place with the eraser end of a pencil or a cotton swab, then cover the bracket or leftover wire with dental wax as a temporary fix. Call our practice to have it looked at as soon as possible.

5. A great way to stay motivated throughout your orthodontic treatment is to imagine what your smile will look like when you’re finished. You can even take some “before” selfies along the way to serve as a reminder of how far you’ve come. You often don’t have to look too far back to see some amazing results!