You may be worried about how your life will change once you have braces. For example, you may be thinking about how your appearance will change, or how will you brush and floss your teeth, or whether it will be painful or not. Don’t worry, if you follow your orthodontist’s instructions, you’ll have it off in no time, and all that will be left is a perfect smile.
On average, braces are worn for two years. However, each individual is different, and the time can vary. For instance, I was also told that I would have to wear my braces for two years. However, after only one year and a few months, my orthodontist told me I was ready to have my braces removed. He explained that the two year time frame he gave me was because he didn’t expect me to follow his instructions. But since I did, I had them off in record time. Perhaps this will happen to you too.
Embrace Your Braces
Once fitted with braces, your teeth and gums will feel sore for a few days as it adjusts to being stretched. Don’t worry, you will quickly get used to it, and soon you’ll forget you even have braces.
You may feel self-conscious that wearing braces makes you “uncool”. Thankfully, times are changing, and the stigma is starting to go away. Many adults are turning to braces to get the perfect smile they deserve.
Things will go a lot smoother if you simply embrace your braces. People tend to respond to you the way you present yourself. So be confident and secure in yourself and your braces, and nobody will even bring it up.
Eat Soft Foods
Each time your braces get tightened, your teeth and gums will feel tender. In the meantime, we recommend you eat soft foods like oatmeal, spaghetti, mashed potatoes, and yogurt.
Some foods you should avoid are hard candies, popcorn, corn on the cob, and meat with bones. Not only will it be painful, but you can also damage the wire or dislodge a bracket or two. This means you won’t be making much progress with your teeth until they are fixed, and you’ll pay for the extra visit as well
Cleaning Your Braces
Yes, even with braces on, you still continue brushing and flossing. In fact, you may have to brush and floss for longer, because you will have to clean not only your teeth, but your braces as well. Food bits and plaque will quickly accumulate around the brackets and wire.
To floss, you will need to use a floss threader or a water flosser. You will have to brush your teeth at a 45 degree angle to get over the wire and clean your teeth. You can also consider using an interdental brush to assist you.
Check-Ups
If you think it’s okay to miss appointments, you are only increasing the amount of time you are wearing braces! The wire needs to be tightened and replaced every few months. Remember my story about how I got my braces off nearly an entire year faster than expected? Then don’t miss appointments, and follow the instructions to the letter!
Remember, braces are annoying when you have them, but they are just a blip in the course of your entire life. Soon, they will come off, and you will be shocked at how amazing your teeth look afterwards! If you are worried or have any questions, then check out the guides below to learn more about braces.