First Days In Braces: What To Expect

The adhesive used for attaching the braces to your teeth sets rapidly at first but takes 24-hours to cure completely. You can eat anytime after leaving our office. However, we ask that you be mindful of the suggested list of foods harmful to the braces. Until you become accustomed to eating with your new braces, you may find it beneficial to follow a diet consisting of soft foods.

Will the braces cause discomfort? Initially, the braces feel like they “stick out.” This is normal. As you become accustomed to your braces and tooth alignment improves, this sensation will disappear and cease to be a concern. Although the brackets have been rounded and smoothed until the cheek tissues have toughened, you may find it helpful to use a small piece of the provided wax around the bracket that creates irritation. You will probably notice some discomfort beginning a few hours after your braces are placed. Some teeth, usually the front teeth, may be tender and sensitive to pressure.

Occasionally, patients report they experience no discomfort, but most have some soreness during the first eight hours, which starts dissipating within the week. Exactly when the discomfort ceases is impossible to predict and differs for each patient. You may wish to take non-prescription pain remedies commonly taken for other discomforts such as headaches. For maximum effectiveness, it may be best to take such medications before the discomfort begins.

First Days In Braces

These routine steps will minimize discomfort related to irritation from the braces and ensure an optimal response to treatment. Please make these steps a part of each office visit:

1. Using your finger and tongue, check to see that the wire ends do not extend into areas that might poke or abrade the cheek or tongue.
2. Make sure you understand what you are to do until your next appointment. This could include wearing elastics as instructed, adjusting the expander, or following specific hygiene or diet instructions.
3. Make sure you have an adequate supply of dental wax, special cleaning aids, elastic bands, or other related materials you may need between appointments.
4. Always schedule your next appointment before leaving the office. Waiting 1-2 weeks after an appointment before scheduling your next office visit complicates the scheduling process, since appointments are programmed 4-6 weeks in advance. Postponing appointments is a common contributor to overtime treatment.