Adjusting to Your Braces: 4 Ways to Manage Your Transition

Unless you’re lucky enough not to need braces, you’ll need it just like everyone else with teeth alignment issues. While it’s more common for children to have braces, adults may eventually need them if their teeth develop certain complications. Thankfully, getting modern braces isn’t as much of a hassle today. However, adapting to your braces is unavoidable no matter what age you get them.

Adjusting to Braces

Aligning your teeth does more than just give you a straight smile; it also prevents you from developing gum, tooth, and jaw-related problems. Since your bones will be more brittle as you age, it’s not uncommon to have more vulnerable teeth. Unless you want to receive expensive treatments for painful dental diseases, it’s best to value your teeth’s safety while you can.

If you just recently got braces, here are four ways to manage your transition:

1. Change Up Your Diet

The right diet can limit your problems with adjusting to new braces. This means you should avoid hard food like corn on the cob, popcorn, steak, and others. This is because forcing your jaw to bite hard can dislodge your bracket or snap your braces’ wires. Sticking to soft food like noodles or pasta is an excellent alternative as you’re getting used to braces.

Besides hard food, you should avoid sticky food or some raw fruits and vegetables. Remember that your braces can be difficult to clean since you’re not supposed to remove their parts unless indicated by your dentist. Since sticky food is hard to remove, it can stay and rot next to your teeth and promote cavities. Additionally, these substances can break down the cement attaching your braces to your teeth.

2. Use Orthodontic Wax

If you’re having issues with braces scratching your inner mouth, buying orthodontic wax will be a great investment. It’s perfect for cleaning wire ends poking inside your cheeks. Just take a small wad of wax between your fingers and stick it on the part of your braces rubbing your inner cheeks. While it’s non-toxic, remember to remove it when eating or drinking.

3. Drink Cold Drinks and Rinse with Saltwater

If you’re not comfortable placing a piece of wax in your mouth, an alternative is drinking cold water. Since coldness provides a numbing effect to a wound, you can use cold drinks to prevent any soreness you may be feeling. This also applies to cold food like ice cream and yogurt.

Another alternative for inner mouth soreness is saltwater. Simply creating a solution of tap water and a pinch of salt for rinsing will do wonders for your mouth. Besides soothing soreness, you’ll effectively remove bacteria from affected areas.

4. Maintain Oral Hygiene

The simplest way to adjust to your braces is to adapt your oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing regularly with braces is a great way to help your body adjust to these changes. Retaining your usual cleaning activities will prevent you from developing cavities and other dental issues, even with braces on.

 Conclusion

It’s only natural for your body to encounter slight discomfort when adjusting to braces. This is why it’s vital to remember the tips above as you get used to wearing braces. Thankfully, you can avoid inconveniences with your transition if you get the right dental experts to handle your braces.

A simple way to have a better transition period with your new braces is to get them from the right place. A credible dental professional will prevent you from experiencing significant complications when adjusting to your dental treatment. If you need a cosmetic dentist in Murfreesboro, TN for your braces, schedule an appointment with us today!