Life with Braces – Advice from Our Orthodontists

Advice from Our Orthodontists

For many of us, the path to a healthy and straight smile begins with braces. While they can take some time to adjust to, living with braces isn’t difficult and the long-term results will result in the smile you’ve always wanted. Whether we recommend conventional braces, Invisalign clear braces or other removable appliances, the team at Tony Weir Orthodontics is here to guide you through your life with braces and the results you can expect.

Keeping Your Braces Clean

The importance of oral hygiene cannot be overstated for patients with braces, as wearing braces can further develop tooth decay and gum disease. Regular brushing is the key to cleaning your teeth and braces, while regular check-ups are also important to keep track of your oral hygiene.

For patients with Invisalign aligners or other removable appliances, our team will also explain how and when you should clean your aligners. You can read more about brushing with braces here.

Eating and Your Braces

Generally speaking, you won’t have to alter your diet too much while living with braces. The important thing to remember is to maintain a diet that’s healthy for your teeth and be wary of the food and drink that can damage your braces.

In the days after your braces are fitted, it’s recommended that you stick to soft foods, including cooked vegetables, soft rice, sliced meats and milk-based drinks. While you can introduce other food and drink into your diet, very hard, chewy or sticky food should be avoided for the duration of the treatment. If you are fitted with Invisalign aligners, you will be able to remove your invisible braces while eating, giving you greater flexibility in your diet.

Coping with Discomfort and Braces

From lingual braces to Invisalign, all forms of treatment may involve some tenderness and discomfort while you adjust to your new braces. This may include general soreness as well as irritation of the cheeks and tongue, which will generally resolve in just a few days. Saltwater gargling, as well as pain relief such as paracetamol, will help to relieve your symptoms during this initial period of discomfort. Some patients also report their teeth feeling loose, which is a perfectly normal part of the adjustment and realignment process. This feeling will subside as your teeth are repositioned.

Can I Play Sports with Braces?

Yes, you can still pursue your passions and keep fit during orthodontic treatments. Wearing a custom mouthguard is more important than ever during this time and any sports-related damage should be identified and addressed immediately.

Caring for Braces & Orthodontic Emergencies

It’s important to report any damage to your braces as soon as possible. This will ensure your appliances are working effectively and your treatment time is minimised. Be sure to keep any broken parts and organise repairs quickly. Similarly, while severe pain is very rare, you should address this problem quickly, especially if it has been caused by damaged braces.