Things To Know Before Getting Your Braces

So you might want to know more about braces? Perhaps you are looking to get one to achieve the perfect smile. If this is the case for you, you are at the right place. Knowing what to expect before getting your braces will help you a lot during your orthodontic treatment.

Braces treat several teeth alignment issues, including gap, overbite, underbite, and crooked teeth. In fact, more than 4 million Americans are wearing braces, as you’re reading now.
So, before diving into the orthodontic treatment, let’s talk about some things you should know about braces.

Ways to prepare before getting braces!

Prepare yourself mentally

It’s pretty normal to feel nervous about your braces appointment. If you’re feeling anxious, you’re already doing great in educating yourself by reading this guide. This article will educate you about the process. You can also do some research on your own to ease your lingering fears. Find out other people’s experiences with braces and prepare yourself mentally. So when you go into your appointment, you would already know what is going to happen next.

Prepare for slight discomfort and adjustment.

You should expect a slight discomfort as your teeth adjust to your braces. This will likely take a few days or a week. This is because your mouth isn’t used to the extra pressure of braces yet. You can take over-the-counter pain medications to relieve discomfort. But the good news is, the discomfort will likely ease within a week!

Stock up on precautionary items

You can ask your dentist to provide you with a small care kit for braces during your appointment. This may include special floss designed for braces and some numbing solutions to help you relieve pain.

Clean thoroughly

This point is crucial! Make sure you keep your teeth in optimum condition before, during, and after your orthodontic treatment. Before putting on your braces, make sure to brush and floss your teeth. Putting braces on top of bacteria and plaque is a bad idea! So be sure to maintain proper oral hygiene throughout your treatment.

Prepare your fridge

Just like preparing yourself mentally, you should also prepare your fridge before getting braces. This is because the diet is most important when it comes to caring for your braces. You need to avoid all the hard, sticky food items no matter how much you love them. This is because hard, sticky things can cause damage to your braces and may invite bacteria. During your braces treatment, you should avoid the following:

• Sticky foods like gum and caramel
• Hard candies
• Chewing ice or other hard items
• Sugary foods
• Foods that you bite into like apples

You should always avoid ice cream, citrus, and spicy foods for the first few days. This is because they can enhance teeth sensitivity since your mouth would already feel sensitive while adjusting to braces.

In general, getting braces won’t hurt. Instead, it’s exciting! This means you’re just a few months away from getting a straight, beautiful, and healthy smile.

Contact the dentist!

If you’re interested in braces, please feel free to visit Katy’s Family Dentistry. You can also give us a call or schedule an appointment. If you’re looking for an orthodontist nearby, we are more than happy to help you!