If you have made the decision to move forward with braces, Congratulations! You have taken the first step towards better health and a beautiful smile! If you are still considering whether or not you want to get braces, we hope this information will be helpful and ease your mind.

We want you to feel prepared and know what to expect after your braces are placed on your teeth.

1. The first thing you will want to do is make an appointment with your dentist to get a routine clean and check-up. We want your gums and teeth to be healthy before we fit your braces onto your teeth. If you have any cavities we recommend getting those filled prior to having your braces applied as well.
2. Some patients might wonder if they should have their teeth whitened prior to getting braces. We usually recommend that you wait to do this until after your braces have been removed as some may notice some minimal tooth discoloration after the brackets are removed. The reason for this is that your brackets will cover a small part of each tooth, and this area will be unexposed to the foods and drinks that you will have eaten during the course of treatment.
3. On the day that you’ll be getting your braces, be sure and brush thoroughly and floss prior to your appointment. This will ensure that your teeth are plaque-free which will allow the cement to adhere to your teeth.
4. We encourage you to purchase some orthodontic dental wax prior to your appointment. It will take a few days for your mouth and tongue to get used to having braces. Orthodontic wax can be used to place over your brackets anywhere they might be rubbing up against your mouth and will help prevent any sore spots from occurring.
5. We also encourage you to take a “before” selfie! Smile big for the camera so that you can track your progress as your teeth move into their correct position. AND, once your braces are removed, you can compare how your teeth looked before to how much more beautiful they will look after you have completed your orthodontic journey!

Have Questions? Interested in Braces?

Call us at 956-621-7907, or complete the form below now!

How are Braces Affixed to Your Teeth?

Dr. Taylor will first clean and dry your teeth. He will then attach the metal brackets to each tooth with a bonding glue to keep them in place. Next, he will slide metal bands around your back molars to secure the brackets. After this, he will affix the archwires with small rubber bands, also called ligatures. An archwire is used on the top teeth and the bottom teeth to connect the brackets together, thus allowing your teeth to move into their correct position.

When you come in for your routine appointments to have your braces adjusted, your rubber bands will be changed out each time. The bands (ligatures) come in many colors and you can customize your “look” each time. If you are wanting to go with a minimalist look, you can also choose clear-colored bands.

If you have any additional questions, be sure to ask! We want to make this process as easy as possible for you.

What to Expect After You Get Your Braces

It’s normal to feel a little bit of discomfort for the first several days after you get your braces and after you go to your follow-up appointments to have your braces adjusted. The reason for this is that there will be some slight pressure on your teeth as they begin to slowly move into position.

The good news is that any discomfort usually lasts just a few days. Here are some suggestions to help ease you through this part of the process:

• Keep some pain relief on hand such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen to take whenever your teeth start to feel sore. This will help considerably as you go through this adjustment period.
•  Eat soft foods through the adjustment period. Things such as soups, pasta, or bananas are all easy to eat and don’t place very much pressure on your teeth.
• Brush your teeth after you eat. Braces and wires in the mouth can create little hiding places for plaque to build up. Use a soft toothbrush, and carry it with you so you can quickly brush if you are away from home.
• As well, also use interproximal brushes for your teeth. These are small, special types of brushes that are used to get the tight areas between your teeth and brackets.

Dr. Taylor will explain exactly how to floss your teeth on the day that your braces are affixed to your teeth.

Foods to Avoid

Not all foods are good for braces as some can damage your brackets and/or archwires and cause unnecessary trips to our office for repairs. These can include foods such as:

• Nuts
• Seeds
• Hard candies
• Chewy foods such as toffee or caramel
• Popcorn
• Hard crust foods such as pizza or bread rolls
• Crunchy vegetables and fruits such as whole apples or carrots.
• Corn on the cob

Some of these foods can be eaten if they are first cut into small bites and eaten with a fork, however, we do recommend that you avoid chewy foods all together since they can stick to your braces and teeth and aren’t easily removed without causing damage.

When to Expect to See Changes After Your Braces are Applied

While it’s possible to notice small changes after about 4-weeks, it’s more likely that you will start to see more progress after around two to three months. This will also depend on the severity of your malocclusion. If your teeth are only slightly crooked, you will probably see more progress sooner. Every person is different and has their own unique circumstance, so the time it takes to start noticing differences will vary.

Types of Braces That We Offer:

There are options for you to choose from when it comes to your braces. Traditional metal braces are a common option. The brackets used are much smaller than “old school” braces and less visible. We also offer clear braces and gold braces. Clear braces are made out of porcelain and are a great option for folks who don’t want their braces to be as noticeable. Additionally, we offer Invisalign, which are clear, plastic aligners and don’t involve brackets at all! These aligners are virtually invisible which makes them a perfect option for those of you who don’t want to go the traditional route and may be more self-conscious about having braces.

Free, No-Obligation Consultation

We want you to be fully prepared for your braces and what to expect. At A Perfect Smile Orthodontics, we offer anyone interested in braces a free, no-obligation consultation. This consultation includes digital x-rays and a thorough exam.

This allows us to give you all of your options, and go over in detail any questions that you may have. We also have an insurance coordinator on staff who can check to see if you have dental benefits that may apply. Additionally, we offer interest-free, low-down payment options to ensure that you can afford orthodontic care based on your budget and needs.

We are proud to be a part of our community and to serve its members. Our mission is to provide everyone with both affordable and quality orthodontic care so that you or your family members can achieve a healthy and beautiful smile!

Call us at 956-621-7907, or complete the form below now!