6 Tips For Your First Week of Having Braces

Are your new braces coming in a few days? How will the first week in braces go? Are braces painful? You must be nervous. Don’t worry! Everything is normal, but following these six pro pieces of braces care advice during your first week of orthodontic treatment can help.

Tip 1: Watch Your Diet

You may be asking what to eat during your first week in braces. You must adjust your diet. Soups, pudding, smoothies, apple sauce, and mashed foods should dominate the first week. Cold foods and drinks numb your mouth and relieve pain.

Cut your meal after the first week when the tenderness is gone. Get corn off the cob—back-tooth chewing. Even after the first week, avoid nuts, pizza crust, rough meats, and popcorn. This protects your braces so that you can eat those things after your gorgeous smile!

Tip 2: Professionally Brush and Floss

It may feel strange to brush and floss among braces, brackets, and wires. So, follow these tips for braces care:

• Apply moderate pressure with a delicate brush. Brush the top and bottom of brackets, gum line, and molars for two to three minutes at 45 degrees.
• Brush before bed and after meals and snacks. Brush immediately with non-whitening fluoride toothpaste.
• A water Flosser can help you clean hard-to-reach areas and add to your regimen.
• For those who can’t brush after eating, rinse their mouth with water and brush when they arrive home. They should also brush before bed.
• Instead of metal braces, remove transparent aligners before eating and wash your teeth before reattaching them.
• Daily flossing with an orthodontic flosser or threader is easier—Floss between each tooth and down its sides, reaching the gum.
• To clean your teeth thoroughly, use interdental brushes. These brushes are clean between teeth and beneath and around braces and wires.

Tip 3: Use Orthodontic Relief Wax

Hardware might irritate your lips, tongue, and cheeks while you wear braces. This resolves on its own after a few days of mouth “toughening.” While waiting for irritation to lessen, break off a little piece of orthodontic wax, dry the area with a cotton ball, and roll it between your fingers to warm it.

Then, apply this wax to the problematic bracket or wire for braces care and relief. Silicone ear plugs and sugar-free gum can double as #braceshacks if you can’t get wax to act as a barrier between your braces and mouth.

Tip 4: Use a Mouthguard for Braces

An orthodontic mouthguard will protect your new braces and allow you to play sports. The mouthguard absorbs impact, protecting your mouth and braces. If you play sports, talk to your orthodontist about having a mouthguard when you get braces.

Tip 5: Remember Salt Water Rinse

A saltwater wash can naturally relieve braces-related sores and is useful for maintaining oral hygiene with braces. Take ½ teaspoon of table salt and dissolve it in a cup of warm water. Spit out salt water after swishing it. Repeat as needed to soothe your mouth and reduce swelling.

Tip 6: Get Your Travel Kit

Put a braces care travel kit in your car, school, or work bag so you always have it whenever you need it. This is one of our favorite braces recommendations for the first week, but it’s sensible throughout treatment.

Travel toothbrushes, toothpaste, cavity-fighting mouthwash, orthodontic flossers, orthodontic relief wax, Tylenol, interproximal brushes, and makeup compact mirrors should be in your pack. Food in your braces won’t stand a chance when you need to flash your lovely smile!

Conclusion

The first week of braces treatment might be daunting. The brackets and wires in your mouth may make your teeth sensitive. New methods and technologies make brushing and flossing more important. Don’t worry, as you want a gorgeous smile after the braces come off.

After the first week, your routines and mouth will adjust until therapy ends. Use these six ideas to make your first week of braces care stress-free. Please contact us with any questions. We understand your concerns and are happy to help.