You have made the decision to start your orthodontic treatment journey and now have braces, now it’s time to learn how to care for your new appliance properly. The dedication and effort you put into taking care of your teeth and braces during treatment will be reflected in how fast you see results.
While wearing braces, you will have to be careful to avoid certain foods that could cause damage to your new appliances. These restrictions are temporary, you can go back to eating everything you want once your treatment is completed.
Braces are not generally painful but may cause some discomfort when they are first applied. You may notice that your mouth and teeth feel a little tender or sore, this is completely normal and usually goes away on its own in a few days. You can relieve this discomfort by dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water and then swishing and gargling this solution in your mouth for a couple of minutes. Just be careful not to swallow the saltwater.
If the discomfort does not ease after rinsing, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. You may also experience some discomfort on your lips, cheeks, and tongue as they adapt to your new appliances; this can last for one to two weeks. We are happy to provide you with some wax to put over your braces to discourage friction against the tender areas and therefore provide comfort. If you need some wax, just let us know.
As the braces begin to work on shifting your teeth, they may feel a little loose. But don’t worry, this is a completely normal part of the process. Your braces work by first loosening the teeth as a technique to move them to the right position. Once your teeth have shifted to their optimal position, they will no longer be loose.
It is not uncommon for wires and bands on your braces to become loose. If you find yourself in this situation, please contact us as soon as possible so we can schedule an appointment to check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.
There’s a technique to temporarily fix a loose wire at home. Use the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is irritating any part of your mouth, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the loose wire to ease friction and relieve pain.
It is important to take care of your appliances because a damaged appliance can lead to a longer treatment process. It is also important to consistently wear your appliances as prescribed by your doctor, this is the only way to get the results you are yearning for.
We have great news for athletes and anyone else who enjoys playing sports! You can continue to participate in sports while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Dr. New recommends wearing a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance from damage or injury. If you participate in sports regularly, let us know during your appointment so we can recommend the best mouthguard for you!
In case of a sports-related accident, make sure to check your mouth and appliance for any signs of damage. If you find any loose teeth or appliance damage, be sure to contact us right away. You can seek immediate temporary relief by applying wax to any damaged parts of the appliance or by rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.
3171 Chili Ave #200, Rochester, NY 14624