While wearing braces you will most likely have to change your normal diet. No more hard, chewy, or sticky foods. These types of foods will break your braces and slow down your treatment. Avoiding broken braces will make your orthodontist experience more comfortable. Broken appliances can cut into your cheeks and gums. Prevention is the best way to make your orthodontic treatment more pleasant.

The first few days after getting new braces can make your mouth, teeth, and gums uncomfortable. Don’t get discouraged, hang in there! In a few days your mouth will get use to the new hardware. Take Aspirin or Ibuprofen for pain if you are not allergic to these medications. Warm salt water rinses may also help with the discomfort as well as help keep your mouth clean.

When you first get your braces, the brackets may have sharp feeling edges or small projections (Elastic Hooks) that are difficult to get use to. Your doctor or staff member will give you soft Orthodontic Wax to place over the rough edges in your mouth.Orthodontic wax is also available at most major drug stores. Pinch off a small piece of wax about the size of your small finger nail. Roll the wax into a ball with your fingers. Carefully place the ball of wax on the sharp edge(s) in your mouth. Push it firmly into place until it adheres to your braces. Smooth the wax with your fingers until it makes the sharp edge disappear. If you can’t get it to stay in place, use a larger piece of wax. Eventually, your mouth will get use to the braces and you will not have to use orthodontic wax.

After routine orthodontic adjustments you may experience sore or loose teeth. No need to worry, this is expected. Immediately after an adjustment you should limit your diet to soft, easy to chew foods. Heat activated orthodontic wires are powered by the warm temperature (98.6F) in the mouth. Often a cool drink helps ease the pain. Treat yourself to an ice cold smoothie. After a few days the discomfort normally subsides.

When moving teeth and changing bite relationships, some patients will experience mild to moderate discomfort in and around the temporal area. The cheek muscles may also feel tense. To relieve sore facial muscles, warm moist heat is often prescribed. Wet a wash cloth or towel. Squeeze out most of the excess water so the towel is damp. Place the towel in a microwave for a few seconds until it is warm. Be careful to not overheat the towel. Place the towel on the sore facial muscles and over the temporal areas to help relieve the tension or pain in the muscles. If you experience prolonged pain or tension in your jaws, be sure to inform your doctors office.