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Working With A Great Dentist
Three Questions You Might Have After A Week With Braces
Harper Hughes
After your orthodontist put your braces on, he or she probably answered any questions you had at the time. After a week or so of wearing braces, however, additional questions are likely to enter your mind. Here's a look at questions that people frequently have after about a week with braces -- and their answers.
How can you make brushing around the braces easier?
If you're still struggling to brush around your braces after a week, don't feel bad. It takes time to get used to brushing not only teeth, but also metal. Brushing well is very, very important when wearing braces, since food that gets stuck in them can become a breeding grounds for bacteria that cause tooth decay. Some tips to make brushing with braces easier include:
- Using a smaller toothbrush, so you can fit it past your braces and into the back of your mouth more easily.
- Using a side-to-side brushing action rather than an up-and-down or circular one.
- Focusing on just one quadrant of the mouth at a time. Brush that quadrant, rinse, and then move on to the next one.
Is it normal for your cheeks to be raw when wearing braces? Will this irritation go away?
Yes, the rawness and sores you have on your cheeks right now are temporary. As your cheek tissues get used to the presence of the braces, they will become more callused, so the braces no longer rub them raw. You can also keep your cheeks in better shape by applying wax to the wires that are poking your braces. Your orthodontist probably gave you wax at your first appointment. Roll a small ball of it between your fingers, and press it onto the wires that are bothering you. No, you do not have to worry if you accidentally swallow a little -- it's safe.
How can anyone eat anything other than squishy foods with braces?
If you watch other people with braces munch on chips and apple slices, while you barely make it through a bowl of oatmeal, you may wonder if the next year's meals will all have to be soft and require hardly any chewing. Luckily, chances are good that over the next few weeks, you'll be able to comfortable eat foods that require more and more chewing. Your jaw soreness and cheek irritation will slowly subside, so chewing becomes more comfortable. Soon, the only foods you'll have to avoid are the super crunchy ones that might break your braces -- like nuts and hard candies.
If you have any additional questions or concerns about your braces, don't hesitate to contact someone like Bonnie Marshall S or your orthodontist.
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