Varallo Orthodontics is excited for you to start your teeth straightening journey! As you begin treatment, a lot of information comes your way, so we are here to help break it down for you with a comprehensive guide to your first week in braces. Read on to learn more about daily essential tools to keep with you, food restrictions, and why the process is all worth it!
Creating Daily Habits
Your first week of treatment is an ideal time to begin setting new routines that will benefit you throughout your time with braces. Everything from brushing your teeth to figuring out your new regular meals, it is essential that you understand your appliance so you can responsibly care for it while you are not in our practice.
Understanding everything in your first week would be a difficult task, but this guide is a great place to start and help ensure that you stay on track with your care plan and that your teeth continue shifting in the right direction.
Always Be Prepared With The Essentials
Getting used to your new appliance will carry with it a short adjustment period. One way to make this transition easier is to keep a small care kit of items that will make taking care of your appliance outside of your home a more straightforward experience.
Toothbrush and Paste
When wearing braces, it is even more essential to keep up with brushing your teeth. It is a cornerstone of dental hygiene and helps to rid your mouth of bacteria and plaque buildup. Dr. Varallo recommends cleaning your teeth after each meal in addition to regular morning and night routines.
Our team will happily provide you with a gentle, soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to help you maintain efficient and effective brushing habits.
Floss and Threaders
When something gets stuck between your teeth and your toothbrush cannot reach them, floss and special threaders come to the rescue. Especially after a dinner out, sometimes a stubborn piece of food will require this extra step to be taken.
When wearing wires across your teeth, a regular floss string won’t be able to reach the bottom of each tooth. You can weave the threaders below the wire and get to hard-to-reach areas. Though you don’t have to floss each time you brush, Dr. Varallo recommends doing so at least once daily.
Over-The-Counter Pain Medication
To help ease any pain or tenderness, taking over-the-counter pain medication can help your teeth when they are sensitive and are still adjusting to the presence of your braces. Managing the symptoms of mouth sores, inflammation, loose wires, and the like can be handled at home with their help. At your next appointment, we can recommend what will work best for your case and discuss the soreness you may feel.
Orthodontic Wax
A great tool to combat irritation, orthodontic wax can cover up and smooth out sharp or pointy areas of your appliance. Simply tear a small piece of it off and press it flush against the area causing the discomfort. Should it fall off without you knowing it, don’t worry! It is safe for your system to digest.
Water Bottle
A natural way of cleaning your mouth, water is an excellent first step in getting rid of small food particles and refreshing your mouth. If you cannot brush your teeth after a meal, having some water will help decrease your risk of plaque and maintain a healthier environment.
A quick swish of warm saltwater is also not to be underestimated. This mixture helps to alleviate any lingering bacteria in your mouth and can even help ease any symptoms of discomfort and inflammation.
Being Mindful of Food Restrictions
Foods You Cannot Eat
Unfortunately, some food restrictions come with wearing braces, such as being unable to consume anything sticky, chewy, or crunchy. We recommend removing popcorn, apples, crackers, nuts, hard cookies, bagels, and the like from your meals. Eating these and similar foods may damage your appliance as it is not built to handle this additional chewing pressure.
Foods You Can Enjoy
Don’t worry! You can still eat many delicious foods during your braces treatment, such as pasta, soup, smoothies, yogurt, and well-cooked chicken. Especially during your first week, sticking to soft, easy-to-chew foods is essential to minimize discomfort. You may even find a brand-new meal or snack that you love!
The Benefits of Aligning Your Teeth
Besides the obvious benefits of a beautiful smile, braces have the power to transform your life and improve your general health, one of which is allowing smoother digestion. When your teeth are correctly aligned and can chew food into bite-size pieces, your intestine doesn’t have to work as hard to digest it, preventing stomach aches and cramps.
Braces can also provide an easier time sleeping at night thanks to your mouth being able to close completely. A proper bite allows you to breathe through your nose correctly, which helps to keep the environment moist and avoid bacteria growth. With the power to reinvigorate your confidence, you can count on this appliance to positively affect your professional and personal relationships.
We’re Open To All Questions!
Your braces journey is an important time in your life, and Varallo Orthodontics strives to do our best to make it a straightforward and exciting experience! Remember that our team is here to answer any questions that come up throughout treatment, so don’t hesitate to ask. Whether you think of something during a follow-up appointment or at home, we are here to help!
Providing you with this initial guide is one of the many ways we work to ensure your confidence in treatment. Each of these tips is a great starting point for keeping your teeth and appliances in excellent shape to reap the benefits for years to come.
Your Braces Journey Starts With Us!
With all this information, we hope you are more confident in continuing your braces experience. Providing excellent orthodontic services to Arlington, Burlington, and the surrounding communities, Varallo Orthodontics is proud to be part of your journey to a healthier smile. Contact our friendly front desk staff today to schedule your free consultation!