What to Expect When You Get Braces On

You’re about to join over 4 million people in braces! Some people might feel a little anxious when getting braces on, but with Dr. Yang you are definitely in great hands! Dr. Yang is so passionate about orthodontics and takes pride in giving each patient the personal care and attention they need and deserve! Also, knowing what to expect when you get braces on will also reduce some nerves and put you at ease.

Each patient is different, however knowing the general process of putting braces on will give you an idea of what to expect once you decide to begin your smile journey.

How Long Will It Take?

Getting braces on can take 1 – 2 hours depending on your teeth and what type of braces you and are going to wear. The process of putting them on could happen in one appointment or 2.

Will It Hurt?

You might wonder if getting braces is going to hurt. Some parts of the process might involve a sense of pressure, but overall getting braces on doesn’t hurt.

Metal Braces

Start with Clean Teeth 

It’s very important to thoroughly clean your teeth before your braces are applied.

Gluing on Brackets

Brackets are small metal devices that hold the wires in place on your teeth.

Attaching the Archwires

Next, the orthodontist will attach an archwire to the brackets. An archwire is the long metal that goes from one end of your mouth to the other. You will have two archwires placed: one for the upper arch and one for the lower arch. Throughout the rest of your treatment, the archwire will be adjusted to obtain the necessary tooth movement.

Choosing Your Colors

The last step of having braces placed is most likely the most popular. This is the step where you get to choose what color rubber bands to place over your brackets. These rubber bands act to hold the brackets in place, as well as allow you to show your personal style.

Instructions

Finally, Dr. Yang and his technician will give you instructions on how to care for your braces and provide you with some supplies to keep your braces clean and some dental wax to cover any sharp edges. Be sure to ask any questions. It’s best to care for your braces and see us regularly to ensure the best outcome in a timely manner on your smile journey.

Surviving Your First Week with Braces

The hardest part about getting braces is making it through the first week. You’re adjusting to the strange, new pieces of metal in your mouth, and you might feel a little soreness for the first 24 to 48 hours. If so, you can take Tylenol or Advil to relieve the soreness. Once you get through the first week, you’re well on your way to a beautifully straight smile.

In order to help you feel more comfortable with your braces, here’s a list of tips for surviving the first week:

1. Be prepared leaving the orthodontics office

Make sure you review the following things with Dr. Yang and his technicians before leaving after you get your new braces:

• Check wire ends. Use your finger and tongue to make sure the wires aren’t extending into areas that might poke your cheeks or run into your tongue the wrong way.
• Understand next steps. Make sure you ask plenty of questions to make sure you know what you’re supposed to do before your next appointment, which could include wearing headgear, using elastics, following specific hygiene recommendations, and more.
• Double check your supplies. Ask for plenty of dental wax, cleaning aids, elastic bands, or other related materials you may need before your next orthodontist appointment.

2. Be careful what you eat with braces

It’s okay to eat as soon as you leave the office, but we highly suggest only eating softer foods the first few days while your mouth and teeth adjust. Stick to pasta, seedless bread, soft veggies, pudding, soup, yogurt, etc. After about three or four days, the soreness will start to go away and you can graduate to more solid foods, but always steer clear of gum with sugar in it. Gum with sugar in it can cause damage to your teeth and braces.

3. Use wax to fight sores in your mouth

Brackets are designed to be gentle on your mouth, but they can rub on the soft skin in your mouth and cause irritation while you’re still getting used to them. Over time, your skin will toughen and you won’t continue to get sore spots. Until then, it’s a good idea to use the wax we provide to ease any discomfort.

4. Rinse your mouth with saltwater

If you’re experiencing significant irritation, we suggest rinsing your mouth out with a solution of warm salt water five or six times a day for 30 seconds each time. Add half a teaspoon of table salt to one cup of warm water. The salt water will help relieve pain and allow sores areas to heal faster.

5. Always practice good oral hygiene

Use the toothbrush you’re given to clean your teeth after every meal, and be sure to get the food that might get stuck in your brackets. Don’t forget to follow your normal routine of brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing on a regular basis. Getting into these habits early on in your journey with braces will help ensure that you don’t encounter any problems down the road.

Each person adapts to the discomfort of braces differently, but following these steps will make your journey to straight teeth much more enjoyable. Once you make it past the first few days, you won’t even notice your braces!