Tips for Making Your First Week with Braces Easier

Your first week with braces will require a lot of small adjustments, from figuring out how to brush around the brackets and wires to finding ways to ease the new soreness in your teeth. Dental tenderness is one of the most common results of orthodontic treatment. Understanding what’s normal and how to handle it can make these first days far less overwhelming.

Continue reading to learn simple tips that make your first days with braces easier, including how to ease discomfort, what to eat, how to keep your teeth clean, and where to find the best orthodontists in Manitowoc to guide you through treatment. 

How to Manage Discomfort and Pain After Getting Braces

For both teens and adults, the first few days with braces can feel strange. Like a dull ache or a steady pressure tugging at your teeth every time you bite down or even close your mouth. Here’s what you can do to help manage the discomfort until your mouth gets used to the braces: 

• Taking over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed on the package is the best way to ease discomfort in your teeth or a slight headache after an adjustment.
• Dental wax can be provided by your orthodontist or purchased at most pharmacies, and it works great to protect the sensitive tissues in your mouth from the rough edges of the brackets and wires.
• A rinse and spit with warm salt water can also help calm irritated gum tissue at the end of the day.

What to Eat When You Have Braces

Sticking to a soft-food diet for the first few days after getting your braces and for a day or two after each adjustment appointment can also help. Some of the best foods to eat after you get braces put on include: 

• Bananas
• Mashed potatoes
• Pasta dishes
• Pudding 
• Jello
• Protein shakes
• Fruit smoothies
• Warm soup

Cutting your food into smaller bites, chewing longer, and drinking water as you eat can all help while you get used to eating with braces. 

What to Avoid Eating When You Have Braces

Many people learn the hard way that crunchy or sticky foods can snap a wire or wedge themselves behind a bracket, which is why some foods are best to avoid until your braces come off, including: 

• Popcorn
• Nuts and seeds
• Caramel 
• Taffy
• Hard candies 
• Raw apples
• Crusty bread 
• Chips 
• Hard pretzels 
• Raw carrots and other hard vegetables
• Ice cubes

Foods with a high sugar content can also cause trouble when you have braces, by causing tooth decay in hard-to-reach areas between the teeth and around the brackets. Because of this, soda pop and candy should be limited. If you do indulge, brushing and flossing well right after is very important. 

How to Develop a Braces-Friendly Oral Hygiene Routine

Keeping your teeth clean with braces takes a little extra time, especially when food particles can easily hide around the brackets and wires of your braces. Here’s how to ensure you have the best oral hygiene for braces: 

• Brushing after meals helps clear away the bits that get caught around the brackets, and a soft-bristled toothbrush makes it easier to sweep along the edges without making your gums feel more tender. 
• Flossing can feel awkward at first because the wire blocks the usual path, but it remains important. Using a floss threader, water flosser, or a small interdental toothbrush can make that step less frustrating. 
• Make it a priority to attend all your orthodontic appointments, as well as your regular dental appointments, for regular dental checkups and professional dental cleanings. These appointments ensure your progress stays on track and give your orthodontist or dentist a chance to catch any potential problems early. 

Finding the Best Orthodontist in Manitowoc for Braces

Most people can feel the difference the moment they walk into our office, where real conversations and clear guidance shape every step of treatment. At Just Orthodontics, Dr. Ethan and Dr. Jeff focus on giving people the kind of support that makes braces feel less intimidating, whether that means slowing down to explain how a bracket works or checking in during an adjustment to make sure everything still feels manageable. 

Our approach is shaped by our four generations of experience and a commitment to creating an experience that feels organized and reassuring. With convenient clinics in Manitowoc and Sheboygan, we are honored to be trusted by families across the Lakeshore area.