Are you going to get braces because you would like to straighten your teeth? If they are crooked, overlapping, or spaced out too much, getting braces is a great way to get your teeth to move from one position to the next until they officially become much straighter.
Although it is good to get braces, there are some things you should know before you have the braces put on your teeth. You should always know what to expect of the orthodontic procedure.
You Will Likely Need Spacers Beforehand
Most people need to have spacers placed between the teeth at least a week before getting their braces installed, but this will depend on whether the teeth are already spaced out or not.
If you have large gaps between your teeth, you would likely not need the spacers. The purpose of the spacers is to make some extra room for the metal brackets that you are going to have on your teeth.
You may feel a slight bit of discomfort with the spacers in the beginning, but that discomfort should subside within a day or two.
The Process Often Takes Over an Hour to Complete
The process of getting braces can take more than an hour to complete because there are certain steps that the orthodontist needs to follow. While molds are often taken during one of your first trips to see the orthodontist, you may still need to have additional molds taken after having the spacers removed.
It takes time to attach brackets to the teeth and seal them in place to make sure that they are not going to move around. Although the process can take some time, the orthodontist will make sure you are feeling comfortable the entire time.
The installation process will not hurt you.
You May Experience Some Discomfort After Getting Your Braces
After your braces are on your teeth, you may begin to experience a bit of discomfort or even some slight pain. It is normal to experience this type of pain because your teeth are going to begin shifting, even if you do not notice that they are moving from one spot to the next.
It takes time to see the difference that the braces are making, but you will begin feeling the difference in no time. The first few days are often the most challenging, but the orthodontist may recommend taking over-the-counter pain medication and eating soft foods for a bit to keep the pain at a minimum.
It is a good idea to eat gelatin, mashed potatoes, soup, or other soft food options that are not going to cause you any pain while you are biting down and chewing. Although the discomfort will eventually come to a stop, you may experience some pain each time you have your rubber bands adjusted, which is usually something you will need to have done at least once a month.
The pain from having the rubber bands adjusted will typically only last for around 24 hours or less.
You Will Need to Work Harder to Keep Your Teeth Clean
It takes more effort to keep your teeth clean when you have braces, but it is worth it. Food particles can easily get stuck between wires and brackets, so you should always bring special floss with you to use whenever you are planning to eat something.
Many people with braces like to use interdental brushes to get between their brackets and remove those bits and pieces of food that can easily get stuck.
Along with flossing more often to get rid of food, you should also consider switching to a mechanical toothbrush when you are brushing with toothpaste and using an anti-cavity mouthwash that is safe to use with braces.
If you are getting braces in the next few weeks, these are the things you should know about them beforehand.
Although it can take some time to get used to having the braces on your teeth, you should know that the orthodontic treatment is worth it because you will eventually have a beautiful smile with straight and healthy teeth.
Despite any discomfort that you might experience while having your braces, you will feel like it was the best decision you could have made by the time you have them removed.