You’re ready to get braces, but still uncertain what awaits you. What do you need to do to prepare for braces? Is there anything to keep in mind during braces? What happens after the braces come off?
Most people know about wearing braces, but are unsure what happens before and after. Smith & Davis Orthodontics has a few facts and tips to help you prepare for your orthodontic treatment, so you know what to expect from braces before and after.
What Happens Before Braces?
What happens before braces? Do you need to do anything to prepare? Will you get braces on the first visit?
The first question is easy: It’s highly unlikely you’ll get braces on the first visit unless there are very special circumstances. Instead, we’ll spend your first visit getting to know you and your goals for your new smile.
First Visit for Braces
During your first visit to Smith & Davis Orthodontics, we will thoroughly examine your teeth, jaws, and facial structure. This includes getting dental X-rays and digital imaging to identify the problems that need to be fixed.
We’ll also talk with you about your dental and medical histories, so we know of any complications that might arise or any special medical needs you might have. We’ll then create an orthodontic plan showing you the best treatment. This includes whether you’re right for braces or clear aligners, how long you’ll wear them, and the results.
It won’t all be about teeth, though. During your first visit, we’ll introduce you to the orthodontists, Dr. Smith and Dr. Davis. You’ll also meet our fantastic team to assist you throughout your treatment.
How Soon Will I Get Braces?
You could get braces before your second visit, but some patients need a little prep work before braces. You may need orthodontic appliances to prepare your teeth for the best results from braces.
This could be something simple, like spacers for braces. These thick elastic rings are placed between your back molars to make room for braces bands. The bands slide over the back molars, encircling them. These bands anchor your braces. But we’ll use the spacers if you don’t have enough room to slide the bands around your molars.
You may only wear the spacers for a week or so. If you need a palate expander or a tongue crib, your braces may be delayed several months.
A palate expander widens the upper jaw, allowing all teeth to sit straight. It’s used for those who have narrow jaws that can cause teeth crowding. Using the palate expander often prevents us from extracting premolars to make room for all of your teeth.
A tongue crib can be used for several reasons. The first is to reposition the tongue to rest on the palate instead of against the back of the teeth. A tongue crib can also retrain your tongue to prevent tongue thrust, which can cause an open bite. Finally, a tongue crib can stop a patient from sucking their thumb.
You can expect to wear these appliances for several months before braces.
What Can I Do At Home to Prepare for Braces?
These are some of the ways we can prepare your mouth for braces. But what do you need to do to prepare?
We recommend stocking up on some soft foods. Your teeth might be a little sore once the braces are on, so we recommend eating soft foods for the first few days after you get your braces. These can include mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, smoothies, cooked oatmeal, and ice cream!
You might also have an over-the-counter pain reliever available. You shouldn’t need it more than a couple of days, if at all. Another alternative is to rinse your mouth with warm saltwater, so have a box of salt handy.
Finally, make sure you have a good toothbrush and dental floss ready. You will also need floss threaders, which can go through your teeth and around your braces brackets and wires, and allow you to floss more easily with braces. If you’re getting clear aligners, have cleaning tablets for clear aligners ready for your first cleanings.
What Do I Need to Know During Braces?
Now that you have your braces, what happens next? What are some of the things you need to know?
We mentioned that your teeth might be a bit sore at first. Don’t worry! It’s perfectly normal and usually disappears within a week. You might also feel sore after adjustments, but eventually you will get used to those.
You will have food restrictions with braces. You can eat certain foods with braces, and others you should avoid with braces. The foods to avoid include:
- Crunchy foods
- Hard foods
- Chewy foods
- Sticky foods
Certain drinks should also be avoided with braces. Coffee, sodas, and dark fruit juices can stain and discolor teeth around the brackets. They can also stain clear braces and aligners over time, although both are generally stain-resistant.
Be sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly, just as you would without braces. We want to ensure you don’t get cavities with your braces. Treating those cavities could delay your braces treatment, especially if you have to treat cavities repeatedly.
Teeth Whitening and Braces
Some people like to use toothpaste with tooth-whitening capabilities. Others want to ensure their teeth are white and don’t turn yellow after braces. However, we strongly recommend against using any whitening products during braces.
Teeth whitening gels cannot penetrate the cement bond that holds your braces brackets to your teeth. That means you will whiten all the teeth except under the bracket, which can leave your teeth discolored after the braces are removed.
We also don’t recommend that you whiten your teeth with clear aligners. Professional teeth whitening takes time, and home whitening kits take even longer. That’s too much time you would have to be out of your clear aligners, which you need to wear 22 hours a day at least to be fully effective.
Once your braces are off, wait a few weeks before whitening your teeth. Your teeth will be a bit sensitive immediately after braces, but they should be ready for teeth whitening.
Retainers After Braces
You will get retainers once your braces are off. Whether you get permanent or removable retainers, they help keep your teeth in place as your jaw sets. After a few months, you’ll be able to reduce your time in removable retainers from 22 hours a day to about eight, which most people do overnight.
Braces Treatment in Northwest Arkansas
Braces treatment can be exciting. You’re getting the smile you’ve always wanted, and our patients also boost confidence with their new smiles.
Are you ready for braces? No need to search for “braces near me” in Rogers, AR. Just schedule an appointment with Smith & Davis Orthodontics and see how braces can help you!
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