What to Expect During the First Week of Braces

If you’ve just had orthodontic braces put on, know that you’ve just taken the first step towards a healthy and beautiful smile! However, we know that the first few days and weeks can be quite an adjustment and you’re wondering what to expect. Braces can be difficult to get used to at first, but you’ll be surprised at how quickly they’ll feel normal. 

What to Expect in the First Few Weeks of Orthodontics 

The first day you get your braces put on, they will feel bizarre and foreign in your mouth. Your lips may feel like they can’t close properly, and you may have difficulty speaking normally. The next few days may bring soreness or discomfort, but you’ll likely feel the real pain on the 4th day, so make sure to have some Ibuprofen or Tylenol just in case. 

It takes the soft tissues of the mouth some extra time to get used to traditional metal braces. It can be very common to notice sores beginning to form on the insides of the cheeks or on the tongue. Be sure to have plenty of orthodontic wax to place over the metal brackets or wires that are causing trouble to your soft tissues. Dental wax can be found in the dental health aisle of grocery stores or drug stores. 

 To avoid breaking your dental brackets or knocking them loose, do not use your braces as tools to open packages or bottles and avoid eating hard or sticky substances like hard candies, taffy, or ice. If you do happen to have a bracket or wire fall off, please contact your orthodontist to fix it. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s orthodontic treatment or dentistry for children and would like to make an appointment, please contact Little Rockies Pediatric Dentistry today or search for a pediatric dentist near me! We offer services covering both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics.