What will your first week with braces be like? Unfortunately, patients may feel some discomfort when they first have their braces put on as well as after adjustments or getting new wires. The good news is that this discomfort is very temporary and easy to treat. Keep reading for tips and tricks that can help lessen any pain and make getting used to wearing braces easier.
Prepare Before Braces
Getting used to braces means being prepared before your braces are actually put on. Stock up on soft foods and over the counter pain medicines BEFORE your appointment date. Talk to Dr. Campbell about either taking some Children’s Tylenol or other pain reliever before your appointment.
First Week With Braces: Foods to Eat
Soft foods are going to be your best friend right after your braces are on. Make sure to stay away from anything sticky or hard to chew. Sticky foods can get caught in your appliance, and overly hard or chewy foods may even brake wires or bracket. Soft foods are not only going to be easier on your braces, they’re going to make eating more comfortable. Here’s a list of foods to have on hand after your braces are put on and after they are tightened.
- Mashed potatoes
- Soup
- Scrambled Eggs
- Yogurt
- Bananas
- Oatmeal
- Veggies cooked until they’re soft
- Soft fruits
- Pasta
- Protein shakes
- Pudding
- Seedless breads
- Tortillas
Foods Not to Eat
Eating the wrong foods can not only be painful, as mentioned above, they can literally damage your braces. Here’s what you should avoid right after your braces are on. You should also probably avoid or use caution when eating these foods while your braces are on at all.
- Nuts
- Hard or chewy candy
- Uncooked, hard vegetables and fruits
- Chips
- Tough meats like beef jerky
- Granola
- Bagels
- Popcorn
- Ice (in your drink is fine, but don’t chew it!)
Do Braces Hurt?
The truth is that most patients will be sore right after their braces are put on. During orthodontic treatment, gentle pressure is used to guide your teeth into their ideal placement. That initial pressure can be hard to get used to and cause mild to moderate discomfort. There’s also the chance that new braces may rub against the sides of your mouth or cheeks.
Pain Management
The good news is that easing pain or discomfort from new braces is pretty easy. For pain, your best line of defense is going to be an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Take as directed on the package. Call us if you feel the pain is unmanageable with over-the-counter medicine and we can help.
If your braces are rubbing your mouth, there’s a chance that they can scratch or rub a raw spot on your cheeks. At the office, we have complimentary orthodontic wax for all our patients. Place the wax on your braces wherever you feel them rubbing. This will create a barrier that will prevent any broken or scratched skin.
It’s Temporary
You’ll be happy to know that any pain or discomfort should only last a few days at the very most. Wearing braces is not uncomfortable the entire treatment time, so there’s no need to be scared. If during treatment any unexpected pain occurs, be sure to let us know. You should also reach out immediately if you ever experience any broken brackets or loose wires.
Always Here for You
Dr. Campbell and our entire team understand that adjusting to new braces can be hard on a patient. We will always do whatever we can to make you more comfortable during your first week with braces and your entire orthodontic treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, never hesitate to contact us. We want to create a healthy, happy smile for you in the most comfortable way possible.
