Getting braces is a simple, painless procedure, yet the days that follow require a period of adjustment as your mouth accommodates the new hardware. This transition involves new physical sensations, proactive pain management, changes to your diet, and an updated hygiene routine. Understanding the first few days and weeks of this journey will help you manage temporary discomfort and settle smoothly into life with braces.
The Immediate Sensations of New Braces
The primary sensation immediately following the installation of your braces is one of pressure and tightness. This feeling is the direct result of the archwire beginning to apply gentle, consistent force to the teeth, initiating movement into their correct positions. The teeth and surrounding ligaments may feel slightly tender or sensitive, which is a sign that the orthodontic process has begun.
Your mouth will also register the physical bulk of the brackets and wires, a feeling that is completely new to the soft tissues. The inner surfaces of your cheeks, lips, and tongue will rub against the metal components, which can lead to minor irritation or small sores. Speaking may also feel slightly different at first, as the tongue must learn to form certain sounds, like the “s” or “t” sounds, around the new appliances. This minor interference generally resolves within the first week as your mouth quickly adapts to the presence of the braces.
Managing Initial Discomfort and Soreness
The most noticeable physical discomfort will typically peak between 12 and 24 hours after the braces are placed and usually subsides within three to five days. To proactively manage this soreness, it is often recommended to take an over-the-counter pain reliever roughly an hour before your appointment. Acetaminophen is generally the preferred choice over non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen. This preference exists because NSAIDs may inhibit the inflammatory response necessary for bone remodeling, potentially slowing down the rate of tooth movement.
For localized irritation caused by the brackets rubbing against the inside of your mouth, orthodontic wax is an effective temporary solution. Apply a small piece of softened wax over the irritating metal to create a smooth barrier. To promote healing of any mouth sores that develop, rinse your mouth several times a day with a warm saltwater solution. Dissolve approximately half a teaspoon of table salt in a cup of warm water and swish the mixture gently for 30 seconds.
Navigating Food Choices
During the initial adjustment period, especially the first few days while your teeth are tender, a soft food diet is highly recommended to minimize discomfort. Excellent choices include creamy foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and well-cooked pasta. Smoothies, soft shredded chicken, and flaky fish are also good options that provide necessary nutrition without requiring intense chewing pressure. Once the initial tenderness fades, you must still be mindful of foods that can physically damage the appliances.
Restricted foods fall into three main categories: hard, sticky, and excessively chewy items. Hard foods like nuts, popcorn, and hard candies pose a risk of cracking or dislodging a bracket, which interrupts treatment progress. Sticky and chewy foods, such as caramel, taffy, and chewing gum, can adhere to the brackets and wires with enough force to bend the archwire or pull a bracket off the tooth surface. Eating these problematic foods necessitates unplanned repairs, which can ultimately extend your total treatment time.
Essential Hygiene Habits
Maintaining meticulous oral hygiene is crucial when wearing braces, as the brackets and wires create new surfaces where food particles and plaque can easily collect. Brushing requires a specialized technique to clean all surfaces of the tooth and the hardware. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush angled at 45 degrees, brushing first above the brackets and then below them to clean the areas where the enamel meets the appliance. This method ensures the entire tooth surface is properly cleaned after every meal.
Flossing becomes more challenging, requiring specialized tools to clean between the teeth and under the archwire.
- Floss threaders are rigid plastic loops used to guide traditional dental floss beneath the wire, cleaning the sides of the teeth and near the gums.
- Superfloss has a stiff end that functions as a built-in threader, followed by a spongy section designed to clean around the brackets.
- A water flosser uses a pressurized stream of water to dislodge trapped food and rinse plaque from around the brackets and wires.
- Small interdental brushes, sometimes called proxy brushes, are useful for removing debris from the tight spaces immediately surrounding the brackets.