First Days in Braces

Deciding to get braces is a big decision, one that will affect your smile for the rest of your life. As with anything new, it may take some time to get used to having braces. We want your journey to a beautiful and healthy smile to be a positive one! We have created these guidelines, so you will know what to expect and what to do to ensure that your smile is the best it can be.

What can I eat?

The adhesive that Dr. Sullivan uses for attaching braces to your teeth cures rapidly, but it takes 24 hours to completely cure. You can eat anytime after leaving our office; however, we ask that you be mindful of the suggested eating list for food that may damage your braces. Until you become accustomed to eating while wearing braces, you may find it beneficial to follow a diet consisting of soft foods.

Will the braces cause discomfort?

Initially, the braces feel like they “stick out.” This is normal. As you become accustomed to your braces and tooth alignment improves, this sensation will disappear and cease to be a concern. Until the cheek tissues have “toughened,” you may find it helpful to use a small piece of wax around the area that is creating the irritation. If your supply of wax runs out, call our office for more.

You will probably notice some discomfort beginning a few hours after your braces are placed. Some teeth, usually the front teeth, may be “tender” and sensitive to pressure. You may also notice that your bite feels different and the teeth may feel slightly loose. These are normal sensations associated with braces. Occasionally, patients report that they experience no discomfort, but most have some soreness beginning during the first eight hours, dissipating within the week. Exactly when the discomfort ceases is impossible to predict and differs for each patient. You may wish to take non-prescription pain remedies, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). For maximum effectiveness, it may be best to take such medications before the discomfort begins.

Before leaving our office…

There are routine steps that we ask that you complete prior to leaving our office. These steps will minimize discomfort related to irritation from the braces and ensure an optimal response to treatment. Please make these steps a part of each office visit.

1. Using your finger and tongue, check that wire ends do not extend into areas which might poke or abrade the cheek or tongue.
2. Make sure you have an adequate supply of dental wax, special cleaning aids, elastic bands or other related materials you may need between appointments.
3. Always schedule your next appointment before leaving our office. Waiting 1-2 weeks after an appointment before scheduling your next office visit complicates the scheduling process, since appointments are usually programmed during the previous appointments. Postponing appointments is a common contributor to overtime treatment.
4. Make sure that your questions about treatment are answered. Treatment is more successful when everyone understands the treatment process.