The next two weeks: here is what to expect.
Getting braces is a lot at first. The first week is the rough one. By week two most kids forget they are wearing them. This is the guide that gets you there.
Days 1 to 3: It is sore. That is normal.
Teeth feel tender. Eating anything crunchy is rough. Stick to soft foods: yogurt, smoothies, mac and cheese, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes. Cold things help.
Over-the-counter pain relief (ibuprofen, acetaminophen) is fine, just follow the label. Most kids only need it the first day or two.
Days 4 to 7: The cheeks and lips toughen up.
The inside of the cheeks and lips will get a little rough where the brackets sit. Use the wax we sent home, covering any bracket that bothers you. The mouth adapts to the metal within a week.
Days 7 to 14: Almost back to normal.
By the end of week two, most kids are eating normally and have forgotten about the braces unless they look in a mirror. If sore spots are still appearing, call us.
What to avoid (this is the big one)
- Hard candy, ice, popcorn kernels, nuts
- Sticky candy (Starbursts, taffy, gum)
- Chewy bagels and crusty bread bitten into directly (cut into pieces instead)
- Biting nails, pens, fingernails (this breaks brackets)
Brushing and flossing
Brush after every meal if you can. A water flosser makes life dramatically easier. Soft bristles, gentle pressure. Around the brackets is where plaque hides.
Sports and music
Sports: wear a mouthguard for any contact activity. We have a brace-friendly mouthguard.
Music: wind instruments take about two weeks to feel normal again. The mouth figures it out.
When to call us
- Broken bracket or poking wire that wax cannot fix
- Sore spot that has not healed in a week
- Any sudden, sharp pain
- Lost or swallowed appliance
Northwest Orthodontics: (479) 521-4181.
You will get through this.
We are here when you need us. Call or email anytime.