You’re on your way to straighter teeth and a better smile!
All patients feel strange and awkward initially but everyone gets used to braces in a few days. Here are a few tips to ease you in…
I feel Weird…
Your lips may feel ‘stuck’ on the braces. That’s because your teeth are no longer ‘flat’.
In a few days, your lips and cheeks will adjust to this.
It may taste sour/metallic just after braces are installed but that will go away.
There’s more saliva in your mouth for the first week. This will re-adjust with time.
Lips tend to get dry. Do apply lip balm, especially before you sleep (even more so in an air-con room!).
Will there be discomfort?
Patients do get ulcers from new braces. Sleeping on the side of your face, can cause ulcers to develop on that side. Use braces wax at bedtime to reduce ulcers from developing!
Applying the prescribed ulcer cream onto the ulcer helps! These ulcers gradually disappear as your mouth gets used to them.
Drying the braces first helps the braces wax stick better to it.
For the first 3-5 days, as your teeth start to move, it is normal to feel discomfort when you chew.
Soft diet and taking the prescribed painkillers will help.
Teeth that are moving from crooked to straight will feel ‘shaky’. This is normal.
What should I Not Eat?
Your normal diet will not be affected; just modify how you eat.
Apples, raw carrots and meat should be cut into smaller pieces and chew with your back teeth.
Hard and sticky foods like peanuts, chewing ice cubes, crab claws and chewing gum are best avoided.
Sometimes with hard food or trauma, the braces may ‘pop’ off. Accidents can happen and is easily managed. Wrap the loose braces with wax. If it irritates you, call us for an earlier appointment.
Reduce the intake of soft drinks as the high sugar and acidic nature can cause tooth decay. Your normal diet will not be affected; just modify how you eat.