The first week with new braces can be tough. You may experience some pain and discomfort as your teeth and mouth adjust to the new hardware. It’s important to take it easy and give yourself time to adjust. We want to make your journey to a beautiful smile easy and painless, so here are a few tips from Dr. Gray Grieve and Dr. Cristina Sola at Dr. W. Gray Grieve Orthodontics, to get you through the first week with braces:

In This Post, We’ll Cover

• How Long do Braces Hurt?
• Eating with Braces
• What to Expect When Getting Braces
• Different Types of Braces

How Long do Braces Hurt?

The good news is that any pain you feel isn’t from your braces themselves. Essentially, when your teeth move around, you’ll experience some mild soreness that will soon go away. Getting braces, tightening, and adjustments typically trigger soreness and any pain, but these feelings shouldn’t last longer than a day or two. One easy way to help with these is to take pain relievers right before heading to the orthodontist. This way, they’ll kick in right as any soreness begins.   

Eating with Braces

The first week with braces means sensitive teeth and gums, so we recommend soft foods and drinks for the first few days. Avoid hard and crunchy foods. Stick to foods that are easy to chew.

• Oatmeal
• Scrambled Eggs
• Yogurt
• Fruit Smoothies
• Soft Fruits (Bite-Size!)
• Guacamole
• Hummus
• Tofu
• Noodles
• Soft Bread
• Soft Cheeses
• Applesauce
• Grits
• Couscous
• Rice
• Pancakes

Most of all, be patient. It may take a little time to get used to your new braces, but eventually you’ll adjust and be able to eat and speak normally. For more suggestions for eating with braces, check out our blog for longer posts that focus on food for sensitive teeth, braces, and Invisalign. 

What to Expect When Getting Braces

We get lots of questions about the process of getting braces and how to get started. Here are some of the FAQs patients have, but if you have a specific question you don’t see the answer to, please call the office, we’re always happy to help.

How to get braces? 

It’s easy and quick to call up our office and schedule a free consultation! After an evaluation, the orthodontist will present a treatment plan and timeline customized to your case. 

How long does it take to get braces?

The time it takes to get braces depends on a case-by-case evaluation by an experienced and expert orthodontist. An appointment where braces are installed typically takes about an hour.  

Who can get braces?

Anybody can get braces. Early treatment and adult treatment are also possibilities, so whenever you decide to improve your smile, we’re here to help! The youngest age we typically see patients is seven, and many patients see an orthodontist beginning in grade school. Not only is a straight smile a confidence booster, but it can also vastly improve your health. Orthodontics is beneficial to jaw and gum health, and even can lower the risk of disease in other areas of the body. 

Different Types of Braces

There are many different types of braces that can be used to correct dental problems. The most common type of braces is metal braces, which are made of stainless steel or titanium. Metal braces are the least expensive type of braces, but they are also the most visible. Clear ceramic braces are made of a material that is less visible than metal braces, but they are also more fragile and more expensive. Invisalign braces are made of clear plastic and are virtually invisible. They are also removable, which makes them more comfortable to wear and easier to keep clean.