Orthodontist Tooth Care | Tips To Survive Your First Week Of Braces

One of the hardest things about braces is making it through the first week. Your body is adjusting to having new pieces of metal in your mouth, and you likely feel sore at first. Fortunately, our orthodontist has some helpful solutions to help you overcome these struggles.

At Gruelle Dempsey Orthodontics, our patients are our top priority. We work to ensure you a smooth dental experience at all stages. That way, you have strong overall oral health.

If you’re about to get braces and aren’t sure about the next steps, we’re here to help. Today, we’ll discuss five tips on how to survive your first week of braces.

Ensure Suffice Dental Supply And That You Have No Brace Issues

Once you’ve gotten your braces, there are steps you’ll need to take before leaving the office. This helps ensure you have all that you need from the orthodontist.

Check Wire Ends

Use your tongue and finger to ensure the brace wires don’t extend into areas where they aren’t supposed to. You never want them to poke your cheeks or run into your tongue the wrong way.

Make Sure Your Dental Supplies Last

It’s important to ask your orthodontist how much dental supply you need before your next appointment. Here are three key items you need to ensure proper dental care.

Following these tips will ensure that no issues arise between each appointment.

Use Salt Water To Rinse Your Mouth

If you’re experiencing mouth pain, we suggest you rinse it out with a solution of warm saltwater. Do this five or six times a day for 30 seconds. Also, add half a teaspoon of table salt to one cup of warm water. This will help relieve you of pain faster.

Fight Mouth Sores With Dental Wax

Brace brackets are built to be soft on your mouth. There are instances where they rub on your mouth’s skin and cause you pain. Over time, your skin will adapt, and you won’t continue to develop sore spots. In the meantime, you should use wax to fight off any mouth sores. This helps ease any discomfort you might experience.

Be Mindful Of What You Eat With Braces

It’s okay to eat once you’ve left the office. We suggest you only eat soft foods the first week while your mouth and teeth adjust. Below is a list of foods you can eat to help maintain your oral health.

After the first week, the soreness will go away, and you can start eating more solid foods. One thing our orthodontist strongly recommends is not to chew gum. Gum can damage your teeth and braces. That’s why you should exercise care when eating with braces.

Practice Good Dental Hygiene

Always use the toothbrush you’re given to clean your teeth. Make sure that you brush it twice a day and floss regularly. You should also get food that gets stuck in your brackets out promptly. Getting into these habits early helps ensure you don’t encounter problems later on.

Choose An Orthodontist Who Puts Your Oral Health First

It can be a challenge early on with braces, but with great dental care, you can overcome them. That’s why you should be proactive and follow these tips so you can have healthy teeth.

If you’re feeling unsure about what to expect from braces, contact our orthodontist at Gruelle Dempsey Orthodontics today. We’re ready to address any concerns you have. By staying positive and taking proper care of your teeth, you’ll be able to achieve long-lasting oral health.