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What To Do When You First Get Braces

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When you get braces put on for the very first time, there will be an adjustment period you will have to go through before you get to a point where you feel as if having them in is natural. There are some things that you can do to help you to get through this period easier, as well as faster. The information below will teach you about some of those things, so you have a better experience and don't have to endure as many issues along the way.

Use the wax

When you have your braces put on, you will be given a care kit before you leave the office. This kit will include your after-care instructions and some orthodontic wax. This wax is to be used to prevent the braces from causing cuts and sores in your mouth caused by the braces rubbing against your cheeks, lips and tongue. You will take a small amount of wax, roll it into a ball and push it gently onto the braces to add a protective covering. You want to be sure you purchase more of this wax before you run out and use it as often as needed.

Don't start eating harder foods too soon

Your mouth will be tender when you first get your braces and it will be hard to eat. For this reason, you'll be instructed to stick to liquids and soft foods for the first few hours after leaving the dentist's office. However, you want to let your mouth be your guide regarding when you eat harder foods. It's a good idea to go from liquids to soft foods, then incorporate harder foods slowly so you see how you do with them. You should be able to go back to your regular way of eating after a few days with little irritation.

Don't keep touching your braces

When you have braces put on, it can be hard to leave them alone. They are a new foreign object in your mouth and your tongue will be naturally drawn to them. However, this can cause your tongue to become extremely irritated. Also, you don't want to pick or pull at them with your fingers or you can cause the wires of the braces to become damaged.

When you take some steps right away to care properly for your braces and avoid problems, you will have a much easier transition. Click here to get more info about having braces. 


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