Orthodontic treatment is a positive step toward improving the alignment of your teeth and long-term oral health. Getting braces requires methodical preparation beyond simply showing up for the application appointment. By completing the necessary steps beforehand, patients can significantly enhance the efficiency of their treatment and minimize potential complications once the hardware is in place. This preparation phase focuses on achieving optimal dental health, gathering specialized supplies, and knowing exactly what to expect on the day of the procedure.
Comprehensive Dental Health Clearance
The most important step before your application appointment is ensuring your mouth is in peak condition, a requirement orthodontists call dental clearance. Braces cannot be applied over a mouth with active disease because the mechanical forces of the hardware can accelerate pre-existing issues. Any existing carious lesions, commonly known as cavities, must be addressed and filled by your general dentist before the orthodontic process begins. Untreated decay can rapidly worsen once brackets are cemented, potentially requiring the interruption of treatment for restorative procedures.
Furthermore, the health of your gums and the underlying bone structure must be verified, as these tissues provide the foundation for tooth movement. Any sign of gingivitis or more advanced periodontal disease must be completely resolved, since inflammation can compromise the support for the teeth. A professional hygiene appointment for a thorough cleaning is mandatory to remove plaque and hardened tartar, ensuring a clean surface that allows the bonding adhesive to set properly. Your orthodontist may also require pre-treatment extractions, such as the removal of wisdom teeth or certain premolars, if the treatment plan indicates a need to create space for proper alignment.
Preparing Your Home and Supplies
Getting ready for braces involves making practical adjustments to your home environment, primarily by stocking up on the right foods and oral hygiene tools. For the first few days following the application, your teeth and jaws will likely feel tender due to the new pressure on the periodontal ligaments, making chewing difficult. Preparing a selection of soft foods like mashed potatoes, soups, smoothies, yogurt, and soft-cooked pasta beforehand ensures you have nourishing, easy-to-eat options readily available. This simple preparation prevents the temptation to eat hard or crunchy foods that could damage the brackets and wires during the initial adjustment period.
A complete overhaul of your oral hygiene toolkit is also necessary because the brackets and wires create many new surfaces where food debris and plaque can accumulate. Interdental brushes, also referred to as proxy brushes, are small, cone-shaped tools specifically designed to clean between the wire and the top of the bracket. A water flosser is highly recommended, using a targeted stream of pressurized water to dislodge particles and bacteria from around the hardware and under the archwire more effectively than traditional string floss. For those who prefer a conventional method, specialized products like Superfloss or floss threaders feature a stiff end that helps weave the floss underneath the wire, allowing you to clean the sides of the teeth and gumline.
In addition to cleaning supplies, you should purchase comfort items to manage the expected initial irritation caused by the new metal hardware in your mouth. Orthodontic wax acts as a physical barrier, which you can apply over any bracket or wire rubbing against the soft tissues of your cheeks, lips, or tongue. Having an over-the-counter pain reliever on hand can manage the discomfort that typically begins a few hours after the application appointment. Gathering these items in advance simplifies the first few days of treatment.
Setting Expectations for the Application Appointment
The appointment to have the braces placed generally takes between one and two hours, depending on the complexity of the case and the type of hardware being used. The procedure begins with a thorough cleaning and drying of the tooth surfaces to ensure the brackets adhere securely. Next, a specialized dental adhesive is applied to the back of each bracket, which is then carefully positioned onto the center of each tooth by the orthodontist.
Once the brackets are in the precise location, a curing light is often used to rapidly set the adhesive, forming a strong bond to the tooth enamel. The final step involves securing the archwire—the main wire that connects all the brackets—into the slots of each bracket, holding it in place with small elastic bands or tiny metal clips. While the process is not typically described as painful, patients commonly experience a significant feeling of pressure as the brackets are positioned and the initial wire is inserted.
Immediately following the appointment, you should expect to feel some initial tenderness and a degree of soreness for the next few days as the teeth begin to respond to the gentle forces. There may also be a temporary adjustment period for your speech and eating habits as the mouth accommodates the new hardware. The initial discomfort is a normal physiological response to the force-induced movement of the teeth, signifying that the process of alignment has successfully begun.