Helping You Adjust

Here are Dr. Desai’s tips to adjust to your new braces.

Braces Tips

For the first few days following placement of your braces, you may notice the following:

  • You may be salivating more than usual. This is because your body detects foreign objects in your mouth (i.e. your braces). Although this can last up to a few hours, usually the body adjusts within about 20 minutes.
  • The braces will feel strange to your lips and tongue. You can wiggle your lips or feel around with your tongue to get used to them. After a few days, your mouth will adjust.
Orthodontic Before & Afters

General Guidelines After Getting Your Braces

Here are some general guidelines following placement of your braces at Elm Tree Orthodontics:

  • The adhesive we use to secure the brackets to your teeth will dry very quickly but can take up to 24 hours to fully set.
    • It is fine to eat right after you leave our office.
    • However, we recommend that you stick with softer foods for the first few days as you get used to eating with your new braces.
  • There are some foods that are never okay to eat while wearing braces.
    • Please avoid eating hard or sticky foods during your orthodontic treatment, and never chew on ice as it can damage both your teeth in addition to your braces.
    • These foods can damage your braces, causing you to need additional appointments and potentially extending your overall treatment time.
    • Be sure to follow all guidelines you receive from our office.
  • If spots on your cheek become particularly irritated, you can place dental wax over the bracket in the area to allow the tissue to heal.
  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day – after breakfast and after dinner.
    • For the first few days, check your braces in the mirror after brushing to ensure that you have removed all food particles.
    • For a child with braces, it can be helpful for an adult to check the braces after the child brushes just to make sure that the braces have been cleaned thoroughly.
    • There may be one or two spots that the child might frequently miss, and if these are identified right away, the child can develop good, thorough brushing habits from the start.
  • Most patients are only sore for a few days following placement of braces and do not need medication for pain.
    • If soreness is a problem, however, you can take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (such as Advil or Motrin) as long as you do not have any allergies to these types of medicine.
    • Please check with your physician if you have special needs or if there are other medications that need to be taken into consideration.

Quick and Comfortable List

Remember to do these four things at every Elm Tree Orthodontics appointment to help your treatment go as quickly and comfortably as possible.