Journey to Braces

If you or your child are about to dive into the world of orthodontia, you might be wondering what life will be like with braces.  Will you have to avoid favorite foods? What if one of the brackets breaks while you are out of town? Is it going to hurt? While all these are questions you can easily ask your dentist or orthodontist, knowing what to expect before getting braces can alleviate fears and make the process much easier. Below are the top five things to take into consideration before beginning your journey into orthodontia.  

Eat the Future Forbidden Food

Due to the delicate nature of braces or palate expanders many tough, chewy, and sticky foods will soon be off limits.  While some of the foods are common sense such as taffy, (a food that isn’t good for your teeth either!), but others such a tough breads like bagels and pizza crust are much less intuitive. Take the days leading up to getting braces to load up on your favorite popcorn, bagels, beef jerky, and nuts.  While many of the forbidden foods are considered junk food, healthy snacks such as raw vegetables should also be eaten cautiously.  Before digging into a meal, make sure none of the food is too sticky, hard, or contain tiny pieces that could easily get lodged in between brackets.

Visit the Dentist

Prior to getting braces is a great time to visit the dentist for a cleaning.  Ensuring your teeth are in the best shape will produce the best results and protect them through the length of your orthodontic journey. After getting braces it can take time to figure out how to properly brush and floss with new metal and constraints in your mouth.  While visiting the dentist they will be able to suggest the best flossing and brushing techniques for after braces.  

Take a Picture

Getting braces or other orthodontia is a big milestone! Not only will you see huge changes in your teeth, but in your jaw and face as well.  Taking a before picture is the first step on this exciting journey.  Depending on how long your treatment plan is expected to last, you can also take pictures throughout the process.  This will be a good way to measure the progress you are making and serve as a reminder of how far you have come.  

Plan a Fun Day

Just like many people suffer from dental anxiety, it is very common to feel anxious before beginning an orthodontic treatment.  While there is nothing to be worried about, taking the day before to do something fun will put your mind at ease and pass the time more quickly. While the process of getting braces and the thought of having them for a year or more may seem daunting in the moment, remember this is just a short phase of life.  If it helps, also plan a fun day a couple days after you get your braces on. This will give you something to look forward to while you are getting your braces on.  By planning your fun day a couple days after your braces are put on, it will ensure that you teeth and mouth are no longer sore and you will be able to enjoy your day!

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
While the entire process from finding an orthodontist to completing treatment can seem daunting, it is important to remember the why you are doing all of this.  Your smile is important and by the end of treatment you will have a perfect smile! While it is important to visit the dentist regularly while you are receiving orthodontic treatment; remember to schedule an appointment for when you get your braces off. Keeping your teeth healthy and clean will ensure you have a radiant smile when your treatment is over!