How To: Deal with Braces

For some people, braces are inevitable. Some need them really bad. I have heard stories of others who literally get them just because they look cute. I wonder if that is just going to become something that was a 'trend back in the day' as I get older. But, I had to go through the whole process and I have plenty I can share. 

1. Find the right facility. 

My family and I checked out about three different places we would consider going to and compared prices and plans. For example, how long did they think the braces would take to be fixed. What problems did they notice in my mouth? For example, I knew I had an overbite but one place took x-rays of my teeth and you can't tell overbites that much just from x-rays. What steps would need to be taken? Again, from personal experience two of the three places told me they could fix my overbite first by using what they called "appliances" and THEN I would get braces. The third location told me that if I wore bands often enough, and I took good care of my teeth that he could fix my overbite with just that. 

2. Come Prepared 

Some say that it hurts more to get the braces on than off or the years/months in between. I would not know because my mom had braces when she was a child so she prepped my sister and me by giving us an over-the-counter pain medication a few hours before we had our braces put on, and then for the rest of the day once the time was right (for example, if the medication said every four hours than she would give it to us every four hours). 

3. Choose Your Food Wisely

For the first few days sometimes the patient is not ready to eat a bunch of solid foods so applesauce, puddings, soup, shakes, mashed potatoes, and lots of drinks is a good place to start. Then, the patient needs to remember not to eat certain foods for the whole time that the braces are on. I will admit I had popcorn occasionally (I made it my job to avoid kernels) or had a hard candy (though I did not chew) but that does not make it okay. I never had gum or too many gummies and my conscience bothered me when I had any of the 'not-with-braces' foods listed above. Yet, one day I was eating a granola bar and I broke a bracket. My sister, who ate way more of the not okay foods than I, never lost a bracket. It affects everyone differently, but I vote that you not risk it. This can cost a lot of money if you lose too many brackets at a time.

4. I was informed that it is normal for brackets to break in the first half (or less) of the time that you have braces on, so if it continues after that it is not good.

5. Be Patient 

It will be worth it when you get them off. Though time might seem to take forever, it does get better and you get used to them. Sometimes you forget they are there! 

6. DON'T FORGET RETAINERS 

I personally think the retainers were only slightly better than the braces, I was able to eat more food, but they were so hard to clean. 

7. Personal Hygiene 

If you did not take care of your teeth well enough before braces, start now! You need to brush after anything you eat, but especially after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I carried around a travel toothbrush and toothpaste so I could brush my teeth if we ate at a restaurant or were on the road. These habits need to continue even with retainers because they need to be cleaned and they get DISGUSTING if you don't clean them enough. 

If you want to know more or are confused by something on this topic, drop me a comment and I will get back to you as soon as I can.