Survival Tips for First Week with Braces
Academy Dental is a warm, inviting SPA-themed dentist facility in Hamilton, and is rated as one of the best places by Hulafrog for dental treatment. Dr. Navleen Thind, D.D.S. is a trusted dentist who practices adults and kids’ dentistry, along with Dr. Steven Reff, Dr. Pankaj Puri (Orthodontist) and Dr. Roshanjit Kaur.
When you first get braces, it may be hard at first to adjust to the new metal in your mouth. It’s common to experience soreness or irritation, since your mouth is getting used to the presence of the brackets and wires, and your teeth start to move. Today we will be providing some of our most helpful tips for surviving, and thriving, during your first week with braces:
- Stick to Soft Foods- Due to the soreness you will experience, we recommend eating only soft foods during your first week with braces. By eating foods like pasta, pudding, or yogurt, you will feel comfortable eating, even while your mouth and teeth adjust. After a few days the soreness will start to fade, however you will still have to maintain a few eating restrictions. To avoid damage to your braces, you should always avoid hard, chewy, and sticky foods. If you do want to eat hard foods, try to break or cut them into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Use Wax and Saltwater- If you have never had braces before, your mouth may become irritated from the brackets rubbing against your mouth. This can cause sores or cuts to develop. Rinsing a saltwater mixture in your mouth for 30 seconds will help alleviate pain and promote faster healing. You can also prevent irritation by applying orthodontic wax to brackets or wires bothering you, since the wax protects your skin from being cut by the metal.
- Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits- Braces easily trap food particles, which is why you have to make sure you are brushing and flossing your teeth thoroughly. To avoid getting cavities and bad breath you should clean your teeth after every meal, as well as in the morning and at night. While it may be challenging to fully clean your teeth with braces at first, you will quickly become accustomed to maintaining your oral hygiene, even with metal on your teeth!
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