Anticipating your first braces is a wholly unique experience. Others might consider it a whole new frontier altogether. It’s normal for first-timers to feel a little nervous the day before the installment. Most people wouldn’t want to wear braces for too long, so they might want to get it right the first time. If you’re one of these people, how, then, can you prepare yourself the day before getting braces?
Ideally, you’d want to have a week to prepare for the installment to stock up on all the things you need. However, if you don’t have the time to do this, there are some things you can do before and on the day itself to make your braces journey go a lot smoother.
That said, what can you do the day before getting braces? What about on the day itself? Here are some suggestions:
Before Getting Braces, Stock Up on Braces-Friendly Foods & Items
The day before you head to your orthodontist, you might want to make a trip to your local grocery store. One of the weightier challenges you’ll face once you get braces is finding food that doesn’t stick to your teeth. Aside from promoting tooth decay, these foods can also damage your braces. Sticky foods are often the cause of broken wires and brackets. They’re also tricky to scour off just by brushing your teeth alone.
In this case, prevention is always the best cure, particularly if you don’t want repeat trips to the orthodontist or a delay in your progress. The day before you get your braces done, you might want to take stock of what you have in your pantry. Certain foods may not be as compatible with your braces as others are, which can further dampen your experience. To make things easier for you, then, take note of the foods you should and should not eat, such as:
- Soft foods. Foods that require little to no chewing will be your best friends in the first few days and months after the procedure. What kinds of soft food you’ll stock up on will depend on your preference. Some ideas, however, include yogurt, soups, and purees.
- Hard snacks. If you’re a connoisseur of all things crunchy and chewy, you might have to stave off them while you’re on braces. These include bubblegum, crisp veggies, chips, and nuts.
Aside from this, you might also want to pile up on some tools that make wearing braces easier, such as:
- Interdental brush. You might need to consult your dentist before you make use of this, but interdental brushes can help you scour those tricky in-between areas of your braces while you brush your teeth.
- Toothpicks. Things don’t always go our way. Despite your best efforts, some items may still get caught in your braces. That said, having some toothpicks with you can help ease this discomfort every time you eat.
- Pain relievers. Following installation, you might feel a bit of discomfort as the braces apply pressure to your teeth as they begin to align them. That said, having a pain reliever on hand can help provide relief during particularly nasty flare-ups.
On the Day Itself, Keep Things Clean and Comfortable
Because of the limitations you’ll be facing once you get braces, use the time before installation wisely. Your last meal before the appointment, for instance, can consist of your favorite crispy foods and snacks. Before the visit, however, clean your teeth thoroughly so that there’s no leftover gunk on your pearly whites before the braces are placed.
Installation can also be a tense process, so bring something that can soothe your nerves. Whether it’s something to hug or someone to comfort you, having that along could make the experience less stressful. You might want to bring something to ease the discomfort afterward, like a cold compress.
6 Tips For A Smooth-Sailing Braces Journey
#1 Brush!
Cliché, right? Although brushing seems to be a staple part of our life, a lot of people still miss the memo on the importance of brushing.
Wearing braces increases the susceptibility of food getting stuck between teeth and on the wires. Therefore, forming the habit of brushing helps in preventing unwanted food particles from staying longer in the mouth. Brush every after meal or at least twice a day. However, note that brushing must be done at least 30 minutes after eating, especially something acidic. By doing so, you give your mouth the time to neutralize its acidity.
Try to get into a proper, regular toothbrushing habit long before the day of or the day before braces.
#2 Go for an interdental toothbrush
Although a regular toothbrush can clean your teeth, an interdental toothbrush can provide an additional clean to your mouth. Interdental toothbrushes remove food and plaque from the teeth easier than flossing. Interdental toothbrushes also come in a variety of types, which can accommodate your particular needs.
#3 Rinse with mouthwash
Brushing and flossing are sometimes insufficient in providing optimum clean off the mouth, so it is best to give a swish with mouthwash. Like brushes, mouthwash comes in different variants crafted for a user’s needs.
#4 Say no to sweets
Sugar can increase the prevalence of bacteria which produce acid that causes enamel erosion. Aside from the unfortunate sugar content in sweets like candies and chocolates, these candies will likely stick between the teeth and on the wires.
Dental professionals advise against sticky candies like Tootsie Rolls, hard candies, small-sized candies like Skittles and M&M’s, and popcorn. Sticky candies can lodge between the teeth, on the gums, and braces. Meanwhile, hard candies can damage the orthodontic appliance due to the pressure and force of biting them down. Small-sized candies and popcorn can get caught between the teeth and braces.
#5 Snack on healthier alternatives
If the previous bullet made you sad, don’t be! Instead of candies and food that can damage your braces and teeth, go for braces-friendly snacks. Soft cheeses, yogurt, hummus, raspberries, and apple sauce will make good afternoon snacks.
#6 Visit your dentist!
When you have dental braces, you might need to see your dentist more often than the usual bi-annual check-up. Make sure to attend these appointments to ensure your progress and check for dental issues as soon as possible.