Do you have a child who has recently had fitted braces? Or you are a teenager or adult who are looking for ways to make the process of going from not wearing braces into wearing them 24 hours a day a bit more bearable.
Braces are amazing orthodontic devices that can correct an array of misalignments and crowding issues in the mouth. However, they are usually quite uncomfortable and hard to adapt to for many people, and this can lead to patients who wear them to become frustrated and not engage with the tips and advice that their orthodontist and dentist give to them.
Luckily, there are ways you can adapt to wearing braces without too much hassle or upheaval, and here you will be walking through them.
Eat Soft Foods
When you are brand new to wearing fitted braces, you don’t want to be eating hard foods. Your teeth and gums will be extremely sensitive from having the appliance on, and the last thing you want is to cause more soreness in your mouth. So, opt for foods such as mashed potatoes, pasta, (not longer pasta like spaghetti – it will get caught in the brace), boiled fruits, and veg. As you become more used to the braces you can opt for harder foods, but for those first few weeks, soft foods are a good option. If you aren’t sure which foods are easiest, talk to a dental team like Direct Dental for advice on how to eat a balanced diet while getting used to a brace.
Use A Soft Bristled Toothbrush
It will be quite uncomfortable to brush your teeth when you have just had a brace fitted, so you can temporarily switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush and manual brushing over using an electric option. The sensation many people have when brushing their teeth while wearing a brace is akin to bruising and general aching, which is best avoided if possible. If you notice that there is some minor bleeding after you have had your brace fitted, do not be alarmed. This is perfectly normal and will occur after each adjustment or tightening as well.
Get Dental Wax
Dental wax is a must-have for anybody who has a fitted brace because, simply put, it can be put onto pokey wires and brackets that may be pushing against your inner cheeks. Best of all, dental wax can be bought online for extremely low cost and is exceedingly effective. So be sure to stock up, as you may find that wearing dental wax is the difference between you being able to eat, or not being able to in those first few weeks.
Stock Up On Pain Relief
There is no way around it. Wearing braces 24 hours a day and having them adjusted is going to be difficult to manage without pain relief, especially in those first few weeks. So, it is advised that you stock up on painkillers such as aspirin and paracetamol. You should avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen as these can delay the process of the teeth moving, due to the stopping of inflammation? Yes, the inflammation that you will get when you are wearing braces is important for the process, and stopping it from occurring can delay your teeth from moving on schedule!
