Braces are made to give you a gorgeous smile, but they’re about more than just placing some wires and brackets on your teeth. Orthodontic treatment involves commitment from you and us to make it a great success.
At Wilson & Hendrickson Orthodontics, we’ll do our part to give you a beautiful, healthy smile. But there are things you need to do as well, from keeping your teeth and clear braces or advanced metal braces clean to wearing your rubber bands to notifying us in case of a braces emergency.
Let’s explore some of the most important things you need to know to make your braces treatment great!
What to Expect Your First Week With Braces
What should you expect during your first week with braces? It’s a common question with numerous misconceptions. Do braces take hours to put on? Not with today’s braces and technology!
We bond brackets and bands to your teeth quickly, then attach the archwire. With our self-ligating braces, the archwire isn’t tied by elastics and moves freely, providing the same moving power but with far more comfort. You should have new braces in 1-2 hours!
Will braces hurt? You may experience some discomfort by the end of the first day, and it may intensify on the second day as your teeth begin to move.
You should see that discomfort diminish significantly from days 4-7 with braces. After that, the discomfort should go away.
Your braces might feel a bit “weird” at first, and it may take a few days to get used to them and to speaking with braces. These issues should also diminish as your mouth gets used to your braces. After a few days, you’ll probably forget they’re there most of the time!
What to Do About Braces Pain
Yes, your teeth will feel uncomfortable for the first few days as we train them to move, something they haven’t been doing for most of your life. Once they get going, though, the pain should go away.
Stick to soft foods the first couple of days with braces. Mashed potatoes, cooked pasta, cooked vegetables, cooked oatmeal, and yogurt are good options. Protein shakes are good, as well, but be careful drinking them. Your teeth may be sensitive to cold for the first few days. Drink the shake with a straw to reduce contact with your teeth.
You can use over-the-counter painkillers as directed to relieve any discomfort, or rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. Both of these options should reduce inflammation and pain.
Your inner cheeks, lips, and tongue will get used to being against braces, but it may take a little time. It is possible to get a canker sore (mouth ulcer) or two at first. If that happens, use dental wax to cover the problem area of your braces. Eventually, your mouth will toughen up and be comfortable around your braces.
Your discomfort shouldn’t last more than a week. If you’re still hurting by then, give us a call. We may need to bring you in for some adjustments.
Foods to Avoid With Braces
You’ve probably heard that you will have food restrictions with braces. It’s true, you’ll have to say bye-bye to movie theater popcorn for a while, and no more chomping on ice or tortilla chips. Here’s the good news: It’s TEMPORARY. Once your braces are off, you can go back to eating what you like.
So what are the foods to avoid with braces? Basically, anything hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky can harm your braces.
- Hard foods: hard candies, ice, nuts, seeds, hard raw vegetables like carrots.
- Crunchy foods: tortilla chips, hard crackers, hard taco shells (soft OK), popcorn, and hard pretzels.
- Chewy foods: bagels, soft pretzels and other chewy bread, jerky, toffee, hand-tossed pizza crust and gum.
- Sticky foods: toffee, caramels, saltwater taffy, granola bars, protein bars, Tootsie rolls.
Cleaning Your Braces
One of the most important things you can do during braces treatment is to clean your braces. Cleaning your braces and teeth regularly not only prevents tooth decay and gum disease, but it also prevents white spots on your teeth where plaque demineralizes your enamel.
It may seem like a huge challenge to brush and floss with braces, but it’s fairly easy with the right tools.
Start with the right toothbrush. We recommend a soft-bristled electric toothbrush. Most electric toothbrushes have both rotating and vibrating functions that can get around brackets and wires easier and dislodge food particles and plaque. Be sure to change out your toothbrush head regularly to keep the scrubbing power at its best.
A soft-bristled toothbrush is best because it’s easier on your gums and teeth, both of which may be sensitive after you first get them and after periodical adjustments. A soft-bristled toothbrush won’t damage your braces brackets or wires.
Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes at a time (some electric toothbrushes have timers to help you keep track). Brush with a fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen your enamel, and don’t eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes after brushing. This allows your saliva and fluoride to react and provide the maximum strength of protection for your enamel.
What about flossing? How do you get dental floss around braces wires? Floss threaders are your best solution for daily flossing. Some come attached to the dental floss. Others look like giant needles that allow you to thread the dental floss through the threader’s eye, then slide the floss threader over or under archwires and through your teeth.
What happens if you can’t brush your teeth after meals? Try rinsing your mouth out with plain water. This is a quick, easy way to get at least some plaque and food particles out of your teeth and braces. 
What Do I Do in a Braces Emergency?
Your braces are made to be very durable, but accidents can happen. What happens if you break a wire or pop off a bracket? Here are a few suggestions for taking care of braces emergencies.
Loose or Popped Bracket
If a bracket becomes loose or comes off your tooth but is still attached to the archwire, you can cover it in dental wax to hold it in place until you get to us. If it is out of your mouth, save it and bring it with you.
Swallowed Bracket
If you accidentally swallow the bracket, don’t panic! Our brackets are nontoxic and should pass harmlessly through your system within 24 hours. Just let us know you’ve lost the bracket and we will replace it when you see us.
Broken Braces Wire
If a braces wire breaks and begins poking you, cover it with some braces wax until it can be repaired. As your teeth move together, the archwire will slide out the back of your dental arch and may poke the back of your mouth. If the extra length is poking your cheek or jaw, you can trim it slightly with nail clippers or cover it in orthodontic wax until you visit us.
Whatever your braces emergency in Topeka, KS, call to schedule an appointment with Wilson & Hendrickson Orthodontics as soon as you can. We will work you in for repairs on your braces as soon as possible so we can keep your treatment on track!
Braces Treatment in Topeka, KS
Braces treatment may seem overwhelming at first. You seem to have so many things to remember! Rest assured, you’ll quickly adjust to your new braces, and Wilson & Hendrickson Orthodontics will be here to support you every step of the way. You’ll have a beautiful, healthy smile before you know it!
FAQ
Do braces hurt?
Most patients feel mild discomfort during the first few days after braces are placed or adjusted. It usually improves within a week. Over-the-counter pain relief, soft foods, and orthodontic wax can make the transition easier.
What foods should I avoid with braces?
Foods that are hard, sticky, or chewy can damage brackets and wires. That includes popcorn, nuts, caramels, and hard breads. For a complete list of safe and unsafe foods, see our guide on foods to avoid with braces.
How do I brush and floss with braces?
Use a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste, brushing at least twice daily. Floss threaders or orthodontic flossers make it easier to clean between teeth. For step-by-step tips, check out our article on how to clean teeth with braces.
What happens if I break a bracket or wire?
Cover the area with orthodontic wax and call your orthodontist. If a piece comes off completely, bring it with you to your appointment. If you swallow a bracket or wire and feel concerned, contact us or your doctor for guidance. Learn more in our post on what happens if you swallow braces wire.
Can I choose clear braces instead of metal?
Yes. At Wilson & Hendrickson Orthodontics, we offer clear ceramic braces as a lower-profile option, as well as advanced metal braces for durability and efficiency.
How long does braces treatment take?
Treatment time depends on your unique smile, how complex your case is, and how closely instructions are followed. On average, braces are worn for 18–24 months, though some cases may be shorter or longer.
