Making it through the first week with braces is the most difficult aspect. Your mouth is acclimating to the weird, new metal components, and you may experience some discomfort at first. You’ll have a gorgeous straight smile once you get through the first week.

Here are five recommendations for surviving the first week of wearing braces to help you feel more at ease:

• When wearing braces, be mindful of what you consume: Only consume softer meals for the first few days to allow your mouth and teeth to acclimate. Pasta, seedless bread, soft vegetables, pudding, soup, yogurt, and other similar foods should be consumed. Hard meals and sugary gum should be avoided at all costs. 
• Use dental wax to help with mouth sores: While brackets are supposed to be easy on your mouth, they can irritate the soft tissue of your mouth while you’re getting acclimated to them. Your skin will toughen over time, and you will stop getting uncomfortable places. 
• Use saltwater for rinsing your mouth: If your mouth is irritated, we recommend rinsing it 5-6 times a day for 30 seconds every time. In a cup of hot water, add half a teaspoon of table salt. The saltwater will alleviate pain and speed up the healing process for wounds.
• Maintain appropriate oral hygiene at all times: After each meal, brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush making sure to get any food lodged in your brackets. Remember to wash your teeth twice a day and floss regularly as part of your regular oral hygiene practice.

Everyone adjusts to the discomfort of braces in their way, but if you follow these guidelines, your road to straight teeth will be a lot more enjoyable. Make an appointment with your dentist at the earliest for more information.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!