If you’re worried about how braces might affect your life, don’t fret! Dr. Faulkner and every member of the Rise + Smile Orthodontics team are here to walk you through every step of the process. We take time with you so that we can fully address any questions and concerns, so you are educated on every aspect of your treatment.
Eating Tips
“But what can I eat?” is one of the most common questions patients have. You can eat most things if you’re careful and cut things up into smaller bites: fruits, pastas, meatballs, soups, banana bread, fish, chocolate, and your mom’s famous pot roast. You can even have ice cream!
Honestly, it’s easier to focus on the things that you should avoid, which is anything hard, sticky, or chewy: ice, hard candies, toffee, popcorn, hard breads, nuts, Starburst, caramels, etc. You should also cut up things like apples into smaller pieces.
When you get your braces on, let us know what you're favorite food is, and we’ll see if we can figure out a way for you to eat it!
Dealing with Discomfort
You should expect some mild to moderate discomfort for the first week after getting braces, as well as a few days after all of their following appointments. We recommend taking some ibuprofen for the soreness, as it is more effective than Tylenol for orthodontic pain.
Sometimes after teeth have started to shift around, a wire can end up poking in the back of the mouth. If this is the case, then please give our Austin orthodontic office a call so that we can get you in to clip the poking wire. In the meantime, you can apply some wax or wet cotton to the area so that the wire doesn’t poke you.
If you have bracket come loose, then please contact us as soon as possible. While it is not generally an emergency, we usually like to repair the bracket as soon as possible to avoid undesirable movement. Please bring the loose bracket in to your appointment as well.
Brushing and Flossing
When we put on your braces and deliver appliances, we’ll go over instructions on how to brush and floss. While it does take some work and extra time, it will be worth it when you show off your awesome smile at the end of treatment. You should brush at least three times per day, and floss once per day. You should also see your dentist for regular cleanings every six months.
A Team Effort
Successful orthodontic treatment involves a lot of teamwork, and you are a huge part of the team! It's important that you do your part by making your appointments, being careful with what you eat, not breaking brackets or appliances, keeping your teeth and gums clean, and following instructions precisely like wearing rubber bands.
If you do your part, then it makes it a lot easier for us to do our part!
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