Braces hold the power to change your life with their ability to straighten out your smile. With their help and the expertise of everyone at Griffin & Errera Orthodontics, we guarantee to reach your smile goal results! A learning curve comes with getting this appliance, but our team is here to provide your go-to guide to your first week in braces, so you don’t have to go at it alone. We will discuss the process of getting your braces put on, how to deal with common emergencies, and keeping up with your oral hygiene.
How Are Braces Placed On Your Teeth?
Your braces placement appointment is a simple, pain-free procedure that takes around an hour to complete. Dr. Griffin and Dr. Errera work to establish the most effective placement of your brackets so that your treatment is as efficient as possible. They are glued on your teeth as other brace parts are incorporated after drying.
Your appliance may feel funny in your mouth at first; thus, you can expect a short adjustment period as you adjust to the pressure being placed on your teeth to shift. Any discomfort should go away by itself within a few days.
How Long Will I Wear Them For?
The length of your treatment will depend on the type of braces you choose, your current oral health, and your age. On average, it will last between one to three years. After your placement, subsequent check-in appointments are scheduled every four to eight weeks to ensure everything goes according to plan and as efficiently as possible.
Know How To Handle Urgent Situations
Sharp Wire
Sometimes, emergencies such as a sharp wire may occur over time due to loosening from everyday use. This may lead to irritation of your gums and cheeks, but there is a quick and easy at-home solution you can rely on between appointments. Simply tear off a piece of orthodontic wax and place it flush against the affected area. Don’t worry if it falls off by itself; your body can safely digest it.
Loose or Broken Bracket
More urgent than a sharp wire, your bracket may loosen or break off due to eating unfriendly braces food or using your teeth for non-food objects such as opening a package. In this case, we ask that you call our office as soon as possible so Dr. Griffin and Dr. Errera can determine if you need an emergency appointment.
In the meantime, your best at-home solution is to rotate the bracket back and put a piece of orthodontic wax on the affected area to keep it in place.
General Soreness
Just like with any dental procedure, there will be a short adjustment period while your teeth and mouth get used to having something new present. Should you experience any general soreness, we recommend swishing your mouth with warm salt water to assuage the affected area. You may also take over-the-counter painkillers, as suggested by Dr. Griffin and Dr. Errera, to deal with any discomfort.
Keep Up With Oral Hygiene Practices
Brushing and flossing your teeth daily is essential upon starting treatment. It can be tricky to reach every corner with a bracket or wire in the way, but taking extra time to care for your teeth pays off at the end of treatment.
We will provide you with the proper tools to keep them healthy, such as a soft-bristled toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, floss, and floss threaders. Our team can show you how to properly clean your teeth and keep your appliance shining at your next appointment so you can undergo treatment confidently!
An Opportunity To Form Habits
The earlier you can establish routines, the easier it will be to keep up with maintaining your appliance and the health of your teeth throughout treatment. With some additional steps necessary to practice your oral hygiene, learning to set aside the right amount of time now will help you take better care later.
You will appreciate the habits you began at the beginning of treatment when it comes time to remove your braces. Whether you set a phone reminder or ask another household member to remind you of the above tips, they will soon become tasks you follow instinctively!
Acknowledging Your Food Limitations
Beginning braces treatment calls for a look into your cabinet to see what foods are okay to eat and those that will need to stay in your cupboard for a while. Eating something unfit for your appliance, especially after only having it on for a few days, can cause discomfort or soreness. Excessive pressure caused by hard, sticky, or foods you must bite into is not meant to be withstood and can damage the work done.
Our team recommends avoiding foods such as popcorn, nuts, pizza crust, bagels, apples and similar items to help keep everything working according to plan and steer clear of emergencies as much as possible. If your favorite food is part of this list, don’t worry! The work you put in now to protect your teeth will help you enjoy your straightened smile later.
There are still plenty of delicious foods you can enjoy! Anything easy to chew and soft, including yogurt, smoothies, oranges, pasta, soup, and well-cooked chicken, is on the table. You may even find a brand new favorite food of yours during this process!
Say Hello To Your Perfect Smile!
Griffin & Errera Orthodontics is a proud provider of braces! Nothing makes us happier than the results that come after the end of each patient’s treatment. The effort you put in today will pay off for a lifetime. Call any of our Middleburg, Warrenton, and Culpeper practices to schedule your free consultation today!