Here’s your complete guide from Glander Rochford Orthodontics to enjoying Halloween with braces while keeping your smile healthy and your braces intact!
4 Tips for Surviving Your First Week with Braces
Starting your journey with braces is an exciting step toward a perfect smile, but the first week can be challenging. At Glander Rochford Orthodontics in Indianapolis, IN, we understand that adjusting to braces takes a bit of time and care. Here are four essential tips to help you navigate your first week with braces smoothly:
4 Tips for Surviving Your First week with braces
1. Manage Discomfort with the Right Foods
It’s normal to experience some discomfort when you first get braces. Your teeth and mouth may feel sore as they begin to adjust to the new pressure. To alleviate discomfort, stick to soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and soup. Avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods that can irritate your braces and cause additional pain. Eating softer foods will also help you avoid damaging your new braces.
2. Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene
Braces can make oral hygiene a bit more challenging, but it's crucial to keep your teeth and braces clean to avoid plaque buildup and potential complications. Brush your teeth after every meal using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Don’t forget to floss daily; consider using orthodontic flossers or a water flosser to reach between your braces and wires. Regular brushing and flossing will help keep your smile healthy and your braces in good condition.
3. Use Orthodontic Wax to Reduce Irritation
In the first week with braces, you might experience irritation in your mouth, particularly where the brackets and wires come into contact with the inside of your lips and cheeks. Orthodontic wax can be a lifesaver in this situation. Apply a small amount of wax over the areas that are causing irritation to create a smooth barrier between your braces and the sensitive tissues in your mouth. This will help reduce discomfort and prevent sores.
4. Attend Follow-Up Appointments
Your orthodontist will schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your braces. These appointments are essential for ensuring that your treatment is on track and that your braces are functioning correctly. Make sure to attend all scheduled appointments and communicate any issues or concerns you may have. At Glander Rochford Orthodontics, we’re committed to making your orthodontic journey as comfortable and effective as possible.
By following these tips, you’ll be better prepared to handle the initial adjustment period and set yourself up for a successful orthodontic experience. If you have any questions or need additional support during your first week with braces, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Glander Rochford Orthodontics in Indianapolis, IN. We're here to help you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile!
What are aligners?
Clear plastic aligners, also known as invisible braces or orthodontic aligners, are a popular choice for straightening teeth. At Glander Rochford Orthodontics in Indianapolis, Indiana, we offer Invisalign clear aligners to our patients.
New Year, New Smile
As the new year approaches, many people take the opportunity to set resolutions and make positive changes in their lives. If one of your goals for the new year is to improve your smile, you might be considering orthodontic treatment. We want to help you achieve the smile of your dreams in the new year.
Invisalign vs Braces: What's the best option?
When it comes to straightening your teeth and creating a more confident and healthier smile, there are a couple of different ways to do that. At Glander Rochford Orthodontics, we treat patients with Invisalign, Ceramic or Clear Braces, and Traditional Metal Braces. Because of these different options, we hear patients asking us “What’s the difference between braces and Invisalign?”
Frequently Asked Questions: Guide for Patients During COVID-19
Can I Play Sports with Braces?
It’s fall in Indiana, which has the Glander Rochford Orthodontics team thinking about football, basketball, and all things sports!
We hear the question “can I play sports with braces?” all the time. It’s an important thing to consider, because there is an increased risk to certain mouth injuries when you are wearing traditional braces with brackets. This is true for children and adults that are active in any way, not just sports.
What Can I Eat With Braces?
Frequently Asked Questions: What Happens If A Bracket Comes Off?
Frequently Asked Questions: Do Braces Hurt?
October is National Orthodontic Month, so we are answering the questions we hear from patients.
A question that we hear every single day from our patients at Glander Rochford Orthodontics?
Do braces hurt?
While a simple question, the answer is a little more complex and has a few answers.
The process of actually getting the braces will not hurt at all. The brackets are put on each tooth with a special type of Orthodontic glue that keeps them attached to the teeth. After all of the brackets are on the teeth, a very light wire is placed in the brackets and secured with a colored elastic tie. (you get to pick the colors!)
As the teeth start to move, which can happen as soon as the day your braces are put on, the patient may notice some discomfort or soreness. Kind of like a sore muscle after a hard workout or trying a new type of activity. This is a normal part of moving the teeth and can be alleviated by taking whatever you or the patient would normally take for a headache, or other minor aches.
Another source of discomfort in those first few days of having braces can come from the brackets rubbing against the cheeks. Your mouth has something brand new inside it, and needs a little adjustment period. All of our patients go home with some wax to put on any bracket that may cause any discomfort. As the cheeks get used to the braces, the sore spots will begin to go away. The time it takes for your mouth to get used to the braces is different for every person.
Your Experience is Our Top Priority
It is very important to us that our patients have an enjoyable experience while they are in treatment at Glander Rochford Orthodontics. While there will be some parts of the process that are less fun than others, the end result of a smile you can show the world with confidence is more than worth it!
Please let us know if you are having any issues with your braces above and beyond what was described here and we will be happy to help you out.
Still need to schedule your complimentary consultation? Visit this page on our site to schedule!
