Getting braces on is an experience no one forgets. When you visit the orthodontist Queen Creek for your appointment, you likely don’t know what to expect when you walk out of the office. During the first week, your mouth has to get used to a strange feeling of metal and the bulky appliances, and you could feel sore too. Here are four tips to help you feel more comfortable during this time.
1. Understand How To Care for Your New Braces
When you leave the orthodontist’s office, be sure you are fully aware of what appliances you have in your mouth and how to care for them. Check to make sure everything feels smooth and comfortable and that no wires are poking your cheeks or tongue. Be confident you understand how to clean and care for your braces and how to add rubber bands or headgear as necessary. Ensure you have a good supply of wax, rubber bands and cleaning brushes to get you through to your next appointment.
2. Expect Your Mouth To Feel Strange and Sore
A lot of change happens in your mouth when you get braces. At first, the brackets can rub against the inside of your lips when you talk, causing sores, and your jaw feels a lot of pressure. This all takes some getting used to. You can apply wax to the brackets to make them smooth against your tongue and lips. It’s also a good idea to take a pain-relieving medication to help decrease any discomfort.
3. Use a Saltwater Rinse To Help Speed Up Healing
If you have any sores in your mouth, rinsing with salt water every few hours helps speed up the healing process. You can add a half teaspoon of table salt to a cup of warm water and swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds. Your cheeks and tongue toughen up over time so that this tenderness won’t last long.
4. Stick to Soft Foods During the First Few Days
If your teeth and jaw are sore, crunching on any type of food feels painful. Have a supply of soft foods ready for you at home. Soup, pasta, yogurt, pudding and smoothies are a few options that don’t take a lot of work to eat.
The first week after getting your braces on is an experience filled with a lot of change and adjustment. Follow these tips to get through this time and be one step closer to your perfect smile.
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