Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog!
As I have had braces for over a year I thought I would share with you some helpful tips that might benefit you if you already have braces or are getting them soon. Obviously there are different kinds of braces but the ones I will be focusing on are traditional 'train track' braces. So, here are my top tips for a successful braces experience...
1. When you first get your braces take medicine to ease the aching feeling in your mouth.
Around an hour or two after the braces have been glued on, your mouth will probably start to ache quite badly. To stop this I recommend taking a paracetamol tablet or some Calpol alternatively if you don't like taking tablets. After about 30 minutes to an hour your mouth will feel a lot less sore.
2. Don't eat or drink for 2 hours after they glue your braces on.
It is fine to eat and drink if they are just tightening your braces but when they attach them the glue isn't fully dry so you need to wait for it to set. Most orthodontists tell you this but if they don't then don't eat or drink for 2 hours because you will probably dislodge the brace brackets.
3. When you get braces eat soft foods and cold foods for a couple of days.
My teeth felt very pressurized and achy after they put my braces on so it is hard to eat and bite into things. For breakfast have porridge or yoghurt for lunch have something like a pasta salad or soup and for dinner have either pasta or jacket potato (just don't eat the skin). If you want something cold to numb the pain in your mouth have ice and water, a smoothie, ice cream or an ice lolly.
4. Don't eat certain foods.
Foods I don't recommend eating are:
- Sticky foods: gum (especially one that contains sugar) or caramel/toffee
- Hard foods: hard sweets like boiled sweets and Gobstoppers
- Really crunchy foods: ESPECIALLY CRUNCHIE BARS! I ate one of these and it broke my back brace bracket off.
5. Bring a lip balm to your orthodontist appointment.
This might sound like a strange tip but when they are putting braces on or tightening them it really dries your lips out so always have a lip balm in case you get that horrid chapped feeling.
6. Brush your teeth properly.
Brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes, if not longer. I personally think an electric toothbrush works better because it does most of the work for you and reaches all the nooks and crannies in your mouth. Make sure you clean between the gum and the base of the tooth to remove plaque. Once you've finished use some mouthwash and then use a little dental flossing stick (sold at orthodontists and supermarkets) if there is any food still stuck in your teeth.
7. Use non whitening toothpaste and alcohol free mouthwash.
Whitening products stain braces so I only recommend using them if you don't have braces. Mouthwash containing alcohol can damage your teeth, gums and braces so always buy alcohol free which most brands offer.
8. Wax helps with ulcers.
Obviously don't use any old wax ask your orthodontist if you can buy some. Carry it around with you because you never know when you'll get that annoying ulcer that's bugging you all day. Put a small amount of wax on the bracket that is rubbing your gum. Remember to take it off when you are eating!
9. Don't be discouraged!
Braces take time to work and the pain is definitely worth it. In the end you will have beautiful straight teeth so don't get discouraged:)
I hope this blog post helped you out. If you have any other questions please leave them below.
See you in my next blog post,
Cookie Bow (Jess) x
- Really crunchy foods: ESPECIALLY CRUNCHIE BARS! I ate one of these and it broke my back brace bracket off.
5. Bring a lip balm to your orthodontist appointment.
This might sound like a strange tip but when they are putting braces on or tightening them it really dries your lips out so always have a lip balm in case you get that horrid chapped feeling.
6. Brush your teeth properly.
Brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes, if not longer. I personally think an electric toothbrush works better because it does most of the work for you and reaches all the nooks and crannies in your mouth. Make sure you clean between the gum and the base of the tooth to remove plaque. Once you've finished use some mouthwash and then use a little dental flossing stick (sold at orthodontists and supermarkets) if there is any food still stuck in your teeth.
7. Use non whitening toothpaste and alcohol free mouthwash.
Whitening products stain braces so I only recommend using them if you don't have braces. Mouthwash containing alcohol can damage your teeth, gums and braces so always buy alcohol free which most brands offer.
8. Wax helps with ulcers.
Obviously don't use any old wax ask your orthodontist if you can buy some. Carry it around with you because you never know when you'll get that annoying ulcer that's bugging you all day. Put a small amount of wax on the bracket that is rubbing your gum. Remember to take it off when you are eating!
9. Don't be discouraged!
Braces take time to work and the pain is definitely worth it. In the end you will have beautiful straight teeth so don't get discouraged:)
I hope this blog post helped you out. If you have any other questions please leave them below.
See you in my next blog post,
Cookie Bow (Jess) x
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