Having a Good Relationship With Your Braces

Getting braces put on can be exciting because it is the start of your journey to straighter teeth, a more correct bite, and a beautiful new smile. Yet, many individuals getting braces for the first time find themselves worried or even anxious about their braces. To help alleviate this worry, there are a few things you can do to maintain a good relationship with your braces. Maintaining a good relationship with your braces is important because it will help the process be much faster and smoother.

The first way to maintain a good relationship with your braces is to simply listen to your orthodontist. This seems simple enough, but sometimes this is not as easy as you think, especially when it comes time to wear additions like rubber bands or other appliances. Even if you find yourself wanting to stray from their advice, think twice. Remember, they have devoted many years to educating themselves about how your teeth function and they know what the best course of treatment is for your individual case.

Another thing you will want to do to maintain a good relationship with your braces is to keep them as clean as possible. Part of this is realizing that you will need to brush more than normal. To accomplish this, you can put together a braces care kit and take it with you wherever you go. A basic kit would include things like: a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and dental wax. With bracketed braces, you will want to take special care to remove all food debris that will stick to them or that sticks below them on your gum line. In the case of invisalign, you will want to make sure your mouth is completely rid of all debris before  inserting the aligners.

Speaking of eating, you will want to avoid eating certain foods that can interfere with your braces. Most likely your orthodontist will give you a list of foods to avoid when you get your braces. Part of this step deals with the first step of listening to your orthodontist. Usually foods to be avoided are those that are really sticky or really hard. Things like toffee, caramel, gum, and hard candies in general need to be avoided because they can easily break brackets. Remember, this is only temporary and you will be able to eat these foods again someday soon.

Another important thing to do to maintain a good relationship with your braces is to realize that the first week is not an accurate indication of the entire process. It will take time for your teeth to become accustomed to whatever braces method you have. During this process, your teeth may become very sensitive. Because of this, you may want to eat soft foods and even take an over the counter pain reliever. You may also have some rubbing occur until your mouth “toughens up” to the braces. To relieve this, simply mix one tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water and swish it around in your mouth. You can do this as many times as needed. However after that first week, you will become used to your braces and will most likely hardly notice them.