Herndon Braces

Herndon Braces | So you’ve finally begun your journey toward straighter teeth and a smile that you can be proud of. You’re now wearing braces; now what? For patients in Herndon braces are somewhat low maintenance, but you still need to be aware of a few things to make your orthodontic experience go as smoothly as possible so that you can have your teeth straightened in record time.

Knowing What to Expect

After you first get your braces, it is quite normal for your teeth and mouth to be a bit on the tender side. You may also experience some irritation in your cheeks, lips, and gums for a couple of weeks while your mouth is getting used to your new braces. An over-the-counter pain reliever or salt water rinse can help to minimize any discomfort you may be experiencing.

Brushing and Flossing

You didn’t think you could give up brushing and flossing after getting braces did you? It is more important than ever to maintain your healthy oral hygiene habits at home after getting braces. So you want to brush and floss regularly to maintain the health of your teeth and gums while your teeth are being straightened.

Those who are not properly cleaning their teeth may need more dental visits for professional cleaning treatments. If you already have gum disease, you need to be visiting your periodontist periodically while undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Eating

It’s probably easier to talk about what you should avoid eating, rather than what you can’t. Stick to softer foods for the first couple of days after getting your braces because your mouth, teeth, and gums will be somewhat tender at this time.

Some foods to avoid include hard breads, tough meats and raw vegetables. It won’t be much longer before you can bite down on a cucumber again. In the meantime, you must keep your orthodontic appliances from becoming damaged.

Avoid foods like:

• Chewy foods like hard rolls, bagels and licorice
• Crunchy foods like ice and popcorn
• Sticky foods like chewing gum and caramel
• Hard candies and nuts
• Foods that require strong biting force, like apples, corn on the cob and carrots

Loose Bands or Wires

It is not unusual to have a band or wire become loose. If a protruding wire is irritating you, you can use a blunt object to very carefully slip it back under the wire. Just get it out of the way of your cheeks and gums. Call your orthodontist to make an appointment so that you can get a fix for the problem.

Sports

If you participate in sports, be sure to inform us. We can give you a recommendation for a mouth guard that will protect you while you are playing contact sports.

Rubber Band Wear and Tear

You and your orthodontist must make an effective team to complete your treatment successfully. Your teeth will only move into their desired positions if you are wearing your rubber bands consistently. Failure to do so can lengthen your treatment time, so carefully follow the instructions of your orthodontist.

Learn More

Discover if Herndon braces are right for you. Contact us at (703) 880-7261 today!