When you are first getting braces on, you might be a bit concerned about what to expect. Although it’s not a scary process, you will experience some soreness or pressure. The mechanics are meant to align your teeth together. They do so by slowly adjusting where your teeth need to be to maximize your smile and functionality. While this isn’t painful, you should be aware of what to expect when getting them.
After having an initial discussion with your dentist about your alignment options, you will choose what you’d like. Each is a different price point, and many offer low visibility options, making patients more comfortable with their smiles as they get adjustments. Once you are getting them on, it will take about one to two hours. Typically, small rubber-band like rings are put around some of your teeth. It is normal to experience some pressure during this time. Then, glue is applied to the brackets that will be placed on your teeth and connected with wires. Within the next few hours, you can expect some soreness, as your teeth are beginning to adjust and are adapting to the change.
You can expect to have frequent visits with your dentist to ensure that your alignments are going well and meeting your treatment plan. There may be times where adjustments may take longer or shorter, depending on how quickly your teeth adjust to the pressure and change. The process of tightening your braces is meant to slowly apply tension to your teeth to pull them to the correct position. Frequently, the time frames that you expect to wear them change in accordance with the progression of movement.
Usually, every few weeks, you will need to have your dentist tighten them. This allows enough time for your teeth to acclimate to the difference. At your appointment, your dentist will also look at the elastic bands and quality of the metal to ensure going accordingly. If you experience soreness, you can rectify this with an over-the-counter pain killer. You may also get a soft wax from your provider that can aid in any irritation along the inside of the mouth, which can help protect against sores or irritation.
Be cautious of the foods you eat, as things like popcorn or hard candy can be a bit too rough and can cause damage to them. Even gum can be risky. Speak with your provider about what foods to absolutely avoid. If you experience soreness, try to aim for softer foods like yogurts, fruits, or oatmeal. Make sure to clean them often with a brush to get in between the teeth, ensuring you remove any particles of food that can harvest unwanted bacteria. With proper maintenance of your braces and appropriate tightening by your dentist, you’ll enjoy your new smile in no time!
Request an appointment here: https://www.cottrellsmilesva.com or call Richard Cottrell, DDS & Associates at (540) 808-1303 for an appointment in our King George office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Clear Braces in King George, VA.
There are a lot of teeth straightening methods that someone looking to improve their smile can consider. Traditional braces are well known, but over the years, dentistry has modernized, which has allowed for an expansion on the options.Considering teeth straightening to improve your smile? There are a lot of treatment options that can be chosen…
The same day crown, like a regular crown, is essentially designed to be a cap for a permanent tooth. It is designed to look and act like a natural tooth and can restore a damaged tooth's strength, function, and look.Usually, getting a crown involves fitting two dentist visits into your hectic schedule. In the first…
People opt for dermal fillers from a dentist for different purposes. Professional dentists have the skills and expertise to remarkably transform the appearance of the smile and the general aesthetics of the teeth. They are also trained in changing facial looks with the same aesthetic skills and meticulousness required for creating appealing smiles.With rejuvenation procedures…
If you have recently gotten braces from the family dentist, you will probably be aware of the hassles of cleaning them. The braces’ brackets are bonded to the tooth’s surface, limiting the reach of the toothbrush and making it harder to clean the teeth thoroughly. Nevertheless, you still need to keep the braces as it…
The same day crown, like a regular crown, is essentially designed to be a cap for a permanent tooth. It is designed to look and act like a natural tooth and can restore a damaged tooth's strength, function, and look.Usually, getting a crown involves fitting two dentist visits into your hectic schedule. In the first…
People opt for dermal fillers from a dentist for different purposes. Professional dentists have the skills and expertise to remarkably transform the appearance of the smile and the general aesthetics of the teeth. They are also trained in changing facial looks with the same aesthetic skills and meticulousness required for creating appealing smiles.With rejuvenation procedures…