After putting on braces for many years, one thing never changes – the fear. The fear of the unknown. As a teenager – and even as an adult – getting braces for the first time can feel overwhelming and frightening. Thoughts may race through your mind one right after another:
What will it feel like?
How long will it take to get them on?
Will my teeth hurt forever?
Will I get sores in my mouth?
Will the sores go away?
How long do I have to wear them?
Getting braces can be a scary thing. But, it can also be exciting because for the first time you’re taking control of your smile, ensuring that you’re giving yourself the best smile you can. Giving you more confidence in everything you do. And isn’t that worth it? At Current Orthodontics in Roseburg, we sure think it is.
So, to put your mind at ease, and get you ready for the smile you’ve been waiting for, we’ve put together a list of things you can expect when getting braces at Current Orthodontics.
I hope these tips help you as much as they’ve helped numerous others.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU GET YOUR BRACES PUT ON:
1) It doesn’t hurt to get braces, but your mouth may be sore afterwards
(Expect your teeth and mouth to be sore for about a week.)
2) It usually takes 1-2 hours
(That’s 1 movie or 4 cartoons.)
3) Your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned and dried before we do anything
4) Next, we’ll apply bonding glue to attach the brackets to your teeth
5) Finally, arch wire will go between the brackets to connect your teeth, and rubber bands will secure it all in place
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU GET HOME:
1) Make soft foods your best friend – soups, mac n’ cheese, frozen yogurt, applesauce, bananas – you get the idea
2) Feeling a lot of pain and soreness is normal
(Take a pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen – sometimes even Orajel® can help.)
3) During the first few weeks you may experience mouth sores
(Helpful tip: apply orthodontic wax to your new brackets to give those sores some time to heal.)
4) Avoid drinking things like orange juice or eating any foods that have a high acid concentration like tomato sauce or balsamic vinegar dressing
5) If your lips and gums feel sore, create a rinse of warm salt water
(How to make the rinse: 1/2 tsp of salt per cup of water swished around in your mouth several times a day will ease the irritation and speed up healing.)
Now, let’s put on a brave face because you’re about to get a smile that will give you confidence for decades to come. To get started on your new smile, contact Current Orthodontics in Roseburg, Oregon!
