Starting your orthodontic journey with braces is an exciting step towards achieving a confident, beautiful smile. However, the first day with braces can also bring a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Understanding what to expect can help ease any concerns and make your experience more comfortable. From the initial fitting to adjusting to new sensations, we’re here to guide you through every stage of your treatment.
We are here to provide tips and insights to help you start your smile transformation journey smoothly. If you have any questions about your braces at any point during your treatment with us, please give us a call. Our team at Okuda & Noorda Orthodontics is dedicated to providing our patients with outstanding orthodontic care.
What Happens During an Initial Fitting for Braces?
After your initial consultation for braces, you will need to come into your orthodontist’s office again to have them installed and properly fitted to your mouth. Generally, your teeth will be cleaned and dried before your orthodontist applies dental adhesive to them.
After the dental adhesive is placed, your orthodontist can attach the brackets, place the archwires that will be used, and secure everything with elastic bands. The entire process will take somewhere between one and two hours. However, this can depend on the complexity of your treatment and the issues your orthodontist is addressing.
How Do Braces Feel?
While braces should not be painful in the long term, the installation process and getting used to them may be uncomfortable. There will be more pressure on your teeth than you are used to, and there may be dull pain and soreness during the first couple of days. Your mouth is still getting acquainted with the braces, so you may find yourself feeling the brackets and wires with your tongue. This may cause small cuts in your mouth.
We encourage you to keep your mouth clean while you’re wearing your braces, paying particular attention to the cuts. This will help prevent the development of canker sores, and the establishment of these will likely only make the braces process more frustrating.
You may also feel some headaches and jaw aches in the first few days and after each tightening.
How to Adjust to Wearing Braces
Adjusting to your braces may be difficult, so we’ve compiled a few tips to make the process a bit simpler from the beginning. We encourage you to use the following recommendations to ease your adjustment period to your new braces:
- Listen to your orthodontist and dentist for adjustments to hygiene processes
- Clean your braces and teeth multiple times a day
- Consider getting a water flosser or air flossing device
- Get comfortable with softer foods, and stock up your fridge and pantry
- Stock up on over-the-counter pain medications
- Numbing products may be beneficial
- Ask your orthodontist about getting dental wax
- Rinse with salt water to treat any soreness or irritation
- Practice speaking slowly to adjust to speaking and enunciating with braces
- Use an ice pack for swelling and pain
- Peppermint products, like tea bags or essential oils, can help relieve sensitivity
While you’re adjusting to your braces, it’s normal to feel your teeth shifting and loosening, as they are literally shifting under the pressure the braces apply. However, if you notice any other significant issues, like a facial injury, infection, or serious pain, we encourage you to contact us or seek emergency dental care.
Get Braces From Practitioners Who Care: Contact Okuda & Noorda Orthodontics Today
At Okuda & Noorda Orthodontics, we understand that starting your journey with braces can be both exciting and a little daunting. With over 30 years of experience, our board-certified orthodontists are dedicated to providing personalized and compassionate care to make your experience as comfortable as possible. Our state-of-the-art techniques and tools ensure that you receive the best possible treatment tailored to your needs.
Our family-friendly practice in Henderson, NV, is designed to make you feel at home. We offer flexible scheduling to fit your busy lifestyle and are always available to answer any questions you may have. If you’re ready to start your orthodontic journey or have any concerns, call us at (702) 737-5500 or visit our contact form. We look forward to helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.
