Life With Braces: Tips for New Braces Wearers

Orthodontic Treatment in Salt Lake City, UT

At Utah Orthodontic Care, our mission is to make it easy, convenient, and affordable for our patients to achieve their dream smile. As a leading orthodontic provider in the greater Salt Lake City area, we offer high-quality orthodontic treatment from 8 locations, and we offer flexible financial options to make orthodontic treatment affordable for anyone. Our braces & Invisalign experts work hard to make the treatment process as convenient as possible as our patients, but even with the advances of modern orthodontics, getting used to life with braces still requires some adjustment.

What to Expect During Orthodontic Treatment

Starting orthodontic treatment is an exciting time, as you’re beginning on the path towards a new smile you’ll cherish for a lifetime. But wearing braces takes some getting used to. Most patients experience discomfort at the beginning of treatment, especially within the first few days: it’s a sign that your teeth are responding to the pressure from the braces. Generally, the discomfort fades within a few days, but you can always use over-the-counter painkillers to help manage it.

You’ll also need to make a number of changes to your daily routine to facilitate your orthodontic treatment. One of the most important is your diet: while wearing braces, you’ll need to avoid any foods that are hard, crunchy, gooey, chewy, sticky, or high in sugar. Hard foods can break off brackets, while sticky foods can get stuck in the archwire and damage your braces. Sugary foods contribute to bacterial growth and tooth decay, and because your teeth are at an increased risk of cavities during orthodontic treatment, it’s always best to avoid excess sugar.

In addition, you’ll need to change your oral hygiene routine. You’ll need to brush your teeth at least 4 times per day, once after each meal and once before bed. Furthermore, flossing will require the use of a floss threader, which allows you to thread floss underneath the archwire. Flossing like this takes longer, but it’s absolutely vital to oral health and treatment success.

Contact Your Salt Lake City, UT Braces Provider

Braces take some getting used to, but at the end of the day, they’re an incredible tool that can help you achieve a new smile that lasts a lifetime. Contact us if you have more questions about what to expect when starting with braces, and don’t hesitate to request a free consultation online if you’d like to get started right away. We can’t wait to help you achieve your dream smile through orthodontic treatment!