Getting Used to Your New Braces

Wearing braces for the first time can take some getting used to. The feeling of the brackets and wires in your mouth may feel foreign at first, but over time you will forget they are even there! While you are getting used to your new braces, there are some things you can do to help alleviate any discomfort felt from your braces. From taking over the counter painkillers to monitoring what you eat, there are many ways to make your braces experience more pleasant. For tips on how to alleviate braces discomfort, visit our site. 

Cleaning Your Teeth with Braces

Maintaining your oral hygiene with braces can be difficult, but is even more important since those with braces have a higher chance of experiencing decay after their treatment is over. This happens because the orthodontic appliances block areas normally exposed during brushing and flossing. To ensure a thorough cleaning, follow these tips:

• Brush along the line of the wires and alternately along the tops of the wire and from below with the brush at a 90 degree angle. This helps get underneath the wires and closer to the brackets.
• Use special tools for cleaning around braces like interdental brushes and threaded floss to make your hygiene routine a little bit easier.
• Use mouthwashes with flouride after a thorough brushing to help prevent decay.

Keeping your teeth clean and free of decay also depends on what you eat. Avoid eating sugary foods that can get stuck between teeth in hard to reach areas. Nuts can also cause this problem, so if you do happen to have foods that can lodge in between teeth, remember to floss as soon as possible.

Braces tend to make cleaning your teeth a little bit more challenging, but this should not cause you to skip out on any parts of a good hygiene routine. Follow these cleaning tips and eat healthy foods to prevent tooth decay. Visit our website for more details on how to clean your teeth with braces. 

Avoid Braces Discomfort

In order to straighten teeth, braces must be adjusted, loosening teeth. This can cause some discomfort for some people depending on how tight the adjustments are. However, no matter how tight an adjustment is, there are ways you can avoid a sore jaw, the discomfort when eating, and irritation that can be caused by brackets or loose wires. Simple steps like taking pain medication after braces adjustment and using wax to soften the feel of brackets against cheeks can make a huge difference in your braces experience. While the process isn't completely pain-free, the discomfort can be alleviated so you can be on your way to enjoying a straighter smile!

If you don't currently have braces and are considering them as an option for teeth straightening visit our site for information on different options like Invisalign and traditional metal braces. If you are new to braces, visit our Tips for New Braces page for more advice on how to minimize your discomfort and make your braces experience more pleasant.