5 Tips for Making it Through Your First Week with Braces

Starting orthodontic treatment is an exciting time. Not only are you beginning the journey to a great new smile, but you're also making positive changes for better oral health. As your trusted family orthodontist, we are proud to help guide you through your orthodontic braces treatment with quality, individualized treatment plans.

Adjusting to your new braces at first can take some getting used to, but luckily you can follow these 5 tips from Huls Orthodontics for making it through your first week with braces.

Get Ahead of Discomfort

While there is usually no outright pain associated with braces, you can expect to experience mild discomfort following your first visit. You can be proactive by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever ahead of time and as needed throughout treatment.
 

Familiarize Yourself with Food Do's and Don'ts 

Possibly one of the more challenging aspects of braces isn't what you must do, but what you can't do. Unlock the list of foods to avoid with orthodontic braces. Foods that risk causing damage to brackets and wires of your orthodontic braces include:

• Extremely hard or crunchy foods
• Sticky or gooey foods
• Tough foods
• Foods that cannot be broken down into smaller, bite-size pieces

Study Up on Brushing and Flossing

Knowing how to care for your teeth with braces is a must, so be sure to study the proper ways to brush and floss. Brush around all sides of each bracket, all sides of your teeth, and around wires. Braces leave some tricky spots for food particles to hide, so make sure you are taking your time and not missing any!
 

Have the Right Tools

There are a lot of oral care tools that can make caring for your teeth with braces a little easier. Stock up on interdental brushes for those hard-to-reach places, orthodontic wax to stave off irritation, and floss threaders to help direct floss around tight spaces. If you aren't sure what some of these are, we can help you out!
 

How to Handle Orthodontic Braces Emergencies

Accidents happen, so if you find yourself with an orthodontic braces emergency like a loose wire or bracket, don't panic! You can contact us and we'll get it fixed!
 

Quality Champaign Orthodontic Treatment at Huls Orthodontics

As your trusted family orthodontist in Champaign, IL, Huls Orthodontics will be here with you every step of the way. Give us a call today to schedule your first visit and get started on your journey to a healthy, more confident smile. We can't wait to meet you!