Getting Dental Braces: What to Expect Before and After

The exact experience of getting braces varies for every patient depending on the type of braces that are chosen. For instance, if you have chosen traditional braces, it will include metal brackets, wires, elastic rubber bands and bonding glue but if the braces are Invisalign then you will only be wearing customized aligners for roughly 20-22 hours every day. But regardless of what you choose, experiencing anxiety is only natural during the initial phase.So, here is a list of the most frequently asked questions along with comprehensive answers about teeth braces to ease your stress and give you a clear idea of what you can expect during this extended orthodontic procedure.

Before Getting Dental Braces

Will dental braces hurt? This is the biggest concern that most teens and even adults have even though the procedure is relatively painless and only takes an hour or two. However, it is also important to know that when the braces start aligning the teeth, it may cause some pain and discomfort. :

But, it can be easily alleviated by:

Eating soft foods for the first few days after the braces are put on.
Taking over-the-counter pain relievers.
Rinsing the mouth with warm water containing salt.
Eating cold foods like ice cream and milkshake as they reduce swelling.

What foods can be eaten after getting braces? Once you get used to the dental braces, you can consume soft fruits, grains, vegetables, dairy, and meat. However, to ensure oral hygiene hard, chewy and sticky foods should be avoided as they can get stuck in the metal wires and brackets.

What happens during appointments? You would have to visit the orthodontist several times because the teeth straightening process takes time depending on the type of dental braces you’ve chosen. While invisible braces show a visible difference in a month or two, traditional braces take longer to fix crooked teeth. After the braces are put on, most patients need to go for follow-up appointments every four to six weeks. During these visits, the orthodontist will check the progress of your teeth and if needed, readjust the arch wires to continue the realignment.

How long will the treatment last? The length of your treatment will depend on several factors, including the severity of the maladjustment, your age, type of teeth braces, and your oral health. Nevertheless, dental braces usually take up to 2 years to show visible results.

What are the don’ts of living with braces? To ensure that your braces treatment works efficiently, you need to:

Be extra careful and gentle when brushing teeth.
Use a mouth rinse and fluoride toothpaste to remove the plaque left around the braces.
Avoid biting into hard and chewy foods like corn on the cob, ice cubes, sticky sweets, pizza crust, bagels and pork crackling.
Stay away from soda, juices and beverages that are very high in acid and sugar.

After Getting the Braces Off

What happens after the braces are removed? Most orthodontic patients are excited to see the results after almost two years of wearing braces. But, while you will definitely see straighter teeth, you should also expect to see a few white spots on your teeth. This happens because certain parts of the teeth were covered by brackets and wires for two years. The enamel tends to undergo natural staining but these spots usually fade out after a short while.

Is it necessary to wear retainers after the braces come off? After your teeth braces have been removed, you will be required to wear custom retainers to keep the teeth straightening in place. It is very important that you wear these retainers for at least 12 months after the removal of dental braces for sustainable results.

How to care for teeth after the braces are removed? It is very important that you have an oral hygiene routine in place to make sure your teeth stay clean after every meal even after the braces have been removed. Apart from regular brushing and flossing, using a mouth rinse once a day is also essential. The retainer should be disinfected using a retainer cleanser daily or as recommended by your orthodontist. Finally, you need to make sure that keep up with your follow-up dental checkups. Dental checkups ensure that no oral hygiene issues have developed while the dental braces were on so your new smile remains straight and strong!

If you don’t want to take any chances with your orthodontic treatment, you can count on Koch Orthodontics. Instead of traditional dental braces, we use self-ligating braces that are convenient, comfortable, and have no ties or bands.