The first 2 weeks with braces – a survival guide from our dentist
So, you have got your braces put on and are wondering what the next few weeks and months have in store.
Depending on the type of brace that you have, you will need to see our team every 4-10 weeks for adjustments, and there will be lots of dental cleanings coming up, both at your home and at our surgery.
However, there is a lot you need to know to survive those first 2 weeks in braces, and here, our team has written a guide to help you.
At Enhance Dental, our dentist in Crawley has been helping patients of all ages manage their braces and get the straighter smiles that they want. So, we know all there is to know about managing fitted orthodontics and are happy to help you get over that initial bump.
So, what does our dentist in Crawley recommend to people who have just had braces fitted? Read on to find out.
Invest in some pain relief!
When our dentist in Crawley first puts your braces on, you will probably leave our surgery thinking it isn’t so bad.
Sorry to say, the sensations and soreness that you will feel may take a few hours to kick in! This is because the wires that move the teeth when you have braces on are heat activated, so the longer they are in your mouth, the more your teeth will move.
We always advise our patients to invest in medication, such as paracetamol, which can help alleviate discomfort.
Up your oral hygiene
Once the initial soreness has settled, you will want to start eating, which is great.
However, what you will find is that those bits of burger that you once loved will get caught under your wires. To help with this, we suggest upping your dental hygiene.
Brush your teeth and brackets after every meal to remove debris and clear the wires around your mouth. It is also worth investing in a water flosser to use twice a day to clean those difficult-to-reach spots around your brackets.
You will also need to up the strength of your toothpaste; aim for a brand like Durpahat, which has a lot of fluoride, as well as invest in a high-fluoride mouthwash.
Get some wax
Those brackets are going to take some getting used to, so we always advise our patients who are wearing braces to invest in some dental wax.
To apply this, you are going to need to ensure that the brackets and your teeth are dry, so dry the area with a cotton bud beforehand. Then, simply mould the wax and place it over the brackets.
Avoid hot drinks
As said before, your braces are heat activated, so for those first 2 weeks, try to consume lukewarm drinks as opposed to hot ones. So, if you are a fan of coffee, it can be worth switching from regular coffee to iced coffee, as the cold liquid will temporarily deactivate the wires and give you some relief. Just don’t chew the ice, and if you have to eat ice, make sure it is shaved ice, or you risk breaking your brackets and teeth.
Eat small, regular meals
It is safe to say that those first 2 weeks are going to be the, well, most uncomfortable. There will be pressing of the brackets against your inner cheeks, as well as getting used to the wires and the brackets being in your mouth. But it should get better!