Misaligned teeth can cause further problems with your bite and your jaw. That’s why it’s crucial to get braces when your dentist recommends it. But things will become a bit different when you get braces. So, to help you with the transition, it’s best to make the appropriate preparations.
Ask Questions to Your Orthodontist
It’s a good idea to get all the questions you want to be answered clarified before you set a date for your braces. The initial consultation with an orthodontist is a crucial part. You’ll need to discuss your concerns and apprehensions and ask everything you want to know about braces. For example, you may want to know about the length of the treatment, how much it will cost, and how it affects your self-confidence.
If you want to know when to start using dental floss and mouthwash, you may ask this question to the orthodontist. You may also want to ask if there’s any activity or food you should avoid while having braces. This is because your teeth need to heal after they are adjusted, so you may need to use a soft diet for a while.
Get Rid of Foods You Can’t Eat with Braces
The list of foods you should avoid while having braces is long. And if you don’t follow it, you can end up with a broken bracket, a wire damaged by acid, or a loosened tooth. These things not only damage your teeth but also make your treatment take much longer.
Some things you shouldn’t eat are sticky food, such as caramel, chewing gum, and even ice cream. Any food that can get stuck between your teeth and gum can ruin your orthodontic result.
Hard food like nuts, popcorn, and sunflower seeds can damage tooth enamel. As a result, you can get cavities and stains on your teeth. So, you should avoid hard food or buy a dental guard before you wear braces.
Prepare Pain Medication
If you’re getting braces, there’s one thing you can be certain of – you’ll have some pain. However, most of the patients experience only mild pain or discomfort. The average discomfort occurs during the first two weeks after the braces are put on.
These feelings can be mild to severe depending on your teeth sensitivity and the degree of malocclusions.
Some patients experience pain after the braces are put on, and some before the braces are put on. The pain may be more severe during the initial stage. The more severe discomfort is usually caused by tooth cutting, tooth extraction, or a sore throat. So, it’s better to be prepared for the pain before it comes.
Have a Supply of Soft Foods
If you’re getting braces, you need to eat soft foods for about a month, especially for the first two weeks after the braces are put on. So, before you get braces, it’s a good idea to have a supply of soft foods like applesauce, mashed potato, and yogurt so you can easily get them when you want to.
Final Thoughts
Getting braces means a lot more than just getting a beautiful smile. It’s a big investment for your teeth and your mouth, so you need to know what you can do to get the results you want.
Get braces in Manassas with the help of Solarte Orthodontics. Solarte Orthodontics is a family orthodontics office. We are committed to delivering the highest quality dental care with the latest state-of-the-art technology. Book an appointment now!
