The next two weeks: here is what to expect.
Adults handle the adjustment a little differently than kids. Same biology, more self-consciousness. This is the guide for getting through the first two weeks.
The first 3 days are the rough ones
Teeth feel tender, especially when biting. Stick to soft foods. Cold drinks and ice cream actually help, both for comfort and morale.
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen is fine. Most adults only need it the first day.
The inside of your mouth needs a week
The cheeks and lips have not met brackets before. The first week, expect some tenderness where the brackets sit. Use the wax we sent home. Within a week, your mouth adapts and the wax goes in a drawer.
Week 2: Mostly normal
By two weeks in, most adults are eating, talking, and presenting in meetings without thinking about the braces at all. Photos do take some getting used to.
What to avoid
- Hard candy, ice cubes, popcorn kernels, whole nuts
- Sticky things: caramels, gum, taffy
- Biting directly into hard fruit, bagels, or crusty bread (cut into pieces instead)
- Pens, ice, nails, anything you used to chew on without thinking
The work vs. life logistics
Wax in your bag, a small soft-bristle brush at your desk, and floss picks (or a water flosser at home). That is the kit.
For client-facing roles or dating: most people will not notice unless you point them out. The brackets are smaller than you think.
Brushing and flossing
Brush after meals. A water flosser is a game-changer for braces. Soft bristles, around the brackets where plaque collects.
When to call us
- Broken bracket or poking wire wax cannot fix
- Sore spot that has not healed in a week
- Sudden, sharp pain
- Lost or swallowed appliance
Northwest Orthodontics: (479) 521-4181.