You may be excited to finally get braces, but nervous at the same time. Your appointment is quickly coming up, and you may be wondering what you should expect life to be like with this treatment. Will it be painful or feel weird? How will they fit into your lifestyle? These are just a couple of questions you may be asking yourself, so here’s what you can expect when you start this type of orthodontics.
During Your Appointment
Possibly the most nerve-racking part of the process is this initial visit. You’ll get all the components of braces placed, and thankfully, it doesn’t hurt! Your dentist will start out by cleaning and drying your teeth and then applying a special adhesive. The brackets will be placed on each tooth, and then an arch wire will connect them all. If anything, you may just get tired of keeping your mouth open the entire time! Thankfully, it’ll be worth it in the end.
The First Couple of Hours
As your visit finishes and you head out of your dentist’s office, your mouth may feel a bit odd. You may run your tongue over your new braces and have new sensations you haven’t had before. You are likely to notice some pressure or tightness because of the wire or a bulky feeling around your lips. It may not be painful, but rather strange. Many patients often have a slight lisp as their tongue and cheeks get used to the hardware.
Your First Week
Over the next couple of days, your teeth are going to start to move. This will likely make you feel some soreness. Typically, it shows up four to six hours after your appointment and gets to its peak around two to three days afterward.
This happens because the bone tissue beneath your gums is breaking down as your teeth are shifting. Anytime you get adjustments, you may feel this discomfort, but it should go away after several days.
That being said, there are plenty of things you can do to find relief. You can:
- Take over-the-counter medication.
- Apply a cold pack to your cheeks for 15-minute intervals.
- Use oral numbing gels.
- Stick to a soft-food diet, like mashed potatoes or fluffy bread, to give your teeth a break.
After a Month
On average, it takes about a month for patients to feel used to their braces. It may be shorter for you, but you may not notice them the longer you have them. While some discomfort may come and go with adjustments, it just means your treatment is working. Instead, you’ll build a routine that quickly becomes second nature. That way, your smile-straightening journey becomes easier, and the results at the end make it all worth it.
About the Author
Dr. Cristina Herrera earned her dental degree from the University of Oklahoma. By completing over 100 hours of continuing education every year and over 20 years of experience, she is happy to give the Los Gatos community high-quality treatments. Dr. Herrera is here to straighten out your smile with braces, working with you to make the process comfortable and easy. If you want to learn how you can benefit from orthodontics, schedule an appointment or call her office at (408) 378-8773.