If you or your child are preparing to get braces, King Orthodontics of Pittsburgh has some useful tips for you. We know that many people are apprehensive about wearing braces since they’re permanent (until they’re removed at the end of your treatment) and they will require some changes in your behavior. However, prepping for braces is pretty easy.
Before You Get Braces
- Visit your general dentist. If it’s been nearly six months since your last cleaning, try to get to your general dentist first so that your teeth are cleaned and ready for braces. Also, if you have anything that will need to be fixed, such as getting a cavity filled, you can get that done first. Be sure that you continue to see your dentist every six months while you have your braces on. It’s important to continue good dental care practices.
- Buy a New Toothbrush. Once your braces are on, it’s easy to get pieces of food stuck in between the archwires and around the brackets. Buy a few new toothbrushes—one for home and school, or for home and the office—so that you can brush both at and away from home to ensure that your mouth and teeth are clean. Also buy several containers of floss, because more food will get stuck between your teeth, too.
- Head to the Grocery Store. You’ll need to stock up on soft foods for the first few days after you get your braces on because your mouth will probably be sore. You can buy things like soup, Jell-O, applesauce, and yogurt to eat. After you can tolerate other foods, you can eat what you’d like, except for hard and sticky foods, which should be avoided because they can damage your braces. Avoid popcorn, bagels, nuts, and hard candy. Ask your orthodontist for a full list of what you can and cannot eat. You may also want to buy a few of your favorite restricted foods to eat right before you get your braces on so you can enjoy them one last time!
- Be Sure You Have Medication or Aids. Ask your orthodontist’s office if they provide dental wax, which will help protect your gums for the first 3 or 4 days after getting your braces on. You may also want to carry Orajel with you to help temporarily numb gum irritation. Teens and adults make want to use an OTC pain reliever that’s recommended by their orthodontist.
King Orthodontics has treated thousands of children and adults wearing braces in and around Pittsburgh and the North Hills for many years. We want to help you achieve your best smile, so call us today to learn more about braces for children, braces for teens, and braces for adults.
Dr. Bryan King earned his DMD from The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and holds his Master of Dental Science in Periodontics from The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Bryan has also completed an Orthodontic residency at St Barnabas Hospital in The Bronx, New York. Dr Bryan has received many honors as a practicing orthodontist including, being named a Diplomate of the American Board ofOrthodontics and being named a “Top Dentist” by Pittsburgh Magazine for several years running. He also earned the Lifetime achievement award given by Align Technologies in 2014 for his work with Invisalign.
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